Comments on: Headlights (and tail lights) http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:30:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Driving in VA (Advanced Course) | Washington D.C. Metblogs http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-130663 Mon, 12 May 2008 14:07:00 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-130663 [...] thanks to Vivian Paige’s blog for the [...]

]]> By: Timothy Watson http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111376 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:54:33 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111376 If you want quick information on what type of charge (felony, misdemeanor, traffic infraction) a crime is check out Appendix B of the Virginia’s Magistrate’s Manual at:

http://courts.state.va.us/ed/resources/magman/appendix_b.pdf

]]> By: Terry http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111316 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:11:19 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111316 It drives me crazy when people think they can drive with just their daytime running lights on at night.

]]> By: Archie http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111298 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:36:28 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111298 For future searches on Virginia Legislation, one site I use is:

http://leg1.state.va.us/000/src.htm

]]> By: anonymous http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111276 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:36:42 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111276 I feel like that’s different from when I took driver’s ed in Virginia, although not tremendously so. I may just not remember back that far, and usually when I’m on the freeway looking around aghast and wondering how in the hell all of these people managed to get their drivers licenses, I don’t stop to reflect on the actual process by which some of these lunatics were licensed.

On the actual topic, though, people should be using their headlights as opposed to running lights because its in their best interest for you to be able to see their tail lights illuminated. I remember a few years back I was rear-ended twice by inattentive drivers in a ten-day period, and it wasn’t fun. I’m happy to do whatever it takes to help you not inadvertently break my neck or destroy my car. :)

]]> By: Timothy Watson http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111269 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:36:51 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111269 Driver’s education is a requirement for anyone getting their license unless they’re 19 or older. If you complete driver’s ed, then you are not required to take the in-vehicle portion of the test at the DMV (since you do it during driver’s ed).

At most public high schools, driver’s ed is taught in the 10th grade. It includes an in-classroom portion (including tests), as well as behind the wheel training, and finally the in-vehicle test. Obviously, you have to obtain your learner’s permit before you can do the behind the wheel portion.

If your higher school doesn’t teach it (or you attend a private school that doesn’t) you have to find a company that does and complete driver’s ed with them.

]]> By: vjp http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111260 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:12:25 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111260 Well, the DMW might not do it but the MSM always reports on new laws going into effect. Perhaps the DMV should provide some info to those renewing their licenses, but given the potential time lag (isn’t is up to 7 years between renewals, based on age?) I’m not sure how they could do it efficiently.

MB – I don’t know how they do drivers’ ed in schools these days. I took it a LONG time ago in school.

]]> By: Anon E. Mouse http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111248 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:16:17 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111248 The first point was that there is no mechanism to apprise people of new laws. I just recently renewed my license, and the DMV provided no information on the new laws, nor were there questions about them on the test.

The second point was that I was taking a gratuitous cheap shot at public schools. :-)

]]> By: MB http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111240 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:42:25 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111240 Is driver’s ed optional in VA schools? It certainly was in GA, and since it was (relatively) expensive, very few people ended up taking it. Of course, that didn’t stop anyone from getting their license and breezing through sobriety checkpoints in short order, but hey, it was Georgia.

~

If there ever were any substance to the legislature’s claims that it’s interested in improving safety on the road, there would be a near cost free way to achieve it – make driver’s license tests mean something in this country.

]]> By: spotter http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111231 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:33:05 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111231 Actually, I think the people who teach driver’s ed in PUBLIC SCHOOL are some of the most courageous people around. Just go over to the courthouse parking lot on the afternoon that the teenagers get their licenses and you will see what I mean.

]]> By: vjp http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111149 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:09:43 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111149 Actually, Mouse, the law is relatively new. So I’m not sure what your point is, given that most drivers on the road having been driving a lot longer than the law has been around.

And people are tested when they renew their licenses – if they meet certain criteria, ie, have enough traffic violations.

]]> By: Anon E. Mouse http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111140 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:58:11 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111140 Well, considering that most people take Driver’s Ed in PUBLIC SCHOOL, and that people are not tested on the changes in the laws, we cannot expect much, can we?

]]> By: vjp http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111129 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:23:12 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111129 Thanks for the info! Of course, the fact that the offender can’t be separately cited for this offense means it is probably rarely enforced, anyway.

]]> By: Timothy Watson http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-111128 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:12:12 +0000 http://blog.vivianpaige.com/2007/12/31/headlights-and-tail-lights/#comment-111128 § 46.2-1030. When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights.

A. Every vehicle in operation on a highway in the Commonwealth shall display lighted headlights and illuminating devices as required by this article (i) from sunset to sunrise, (ii) during any other time when, because of rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced to a degree whereby persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet, and (iii) whenever windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow. The provisions of this subsection, however, shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.

[...]

D. The failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices under the conditions set forth in clause (iii) of subsection A of this section shall not constitute negligence per se, nor shall violation of clause (iii) of subsection A of this section constitute a defense to any claim for personal injury or recovery of medical expenses for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

E. No demerit points shall be assessed for failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices during periods of fog, rain, sleet, or snow in violation of clause (iii) of subsection A of this section.

F. No citation for a violation of clause (iii) of subsection A of this section shall be issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the driver of such motor vehicle for the violation of some other provision of this Code or local ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle or any criminal statute.

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I don’t believe that daytime running lights (DRLs) count as headlights. They don’t provide the same amount of light. Not to mention that DRLs were against the law until a couple years ago until the United States Department of Transportation authorized their use beginning in 1995. The Code of Virginia refers to DRLs as a separate system than regular headlights making it seem as if headlights are a require and DRLs don’t cut it.

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