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An Act To Require the Daytime Use of Headlights on Motor Vehicles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2067, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 249, §1, is amended to read:
 
B.  At any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including, but not limited to, rain, freezing rain, fog or snow, persons or vehicles on the way are not discernible for a distance of 1,000 feet ahead; and
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2067, sub-§1, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 249, §1, is amended to read:
 
C.  At any time when windshield wipers are in constant use.; and
Sec. 3.  29-A MRSA §2067, sub-§1, ¶D  is enacted to read:
 
D.  While the vehicle is operated on a way, for a vehicle manufactured after 2010, except that hybrid vehicles of any model year are exempt from this paragraph.
Sec. 4.  29-A MRSA §2067, sub-§4  is enacted to read:
 
4.  Enforcement.     A violation of subsection 1, paragraph D is a traffic infraction for which a fine of $25 may be imposed.
 
Subsection 1, paragraph D may be enforced only if a law enforcement officer has detained the operator of a motor vehicle for suspected violation of another law. An operator is not subject to the penalty established in this subsection unless the operator is required to pay a fine for violating the other law.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires that the driver of a motor vehicle manufactured after 2010 use headlights any time the motor vehicle is operated on a way. The bill also adds a provision allowing enforcement of the mandatory headlights provision only when a vehicle is stopped for a suspected violation of another law. A hybrid vehicle is exempt from the requirement of using headlights any time the vehicle is operated on a way.