Driving without Lights on

[BULLRYDER]

Any assistance, case study/ links, to fight and win this charge would be appreciated. I've, drafted a letter for disclosure. The following occurred:

1.) Location - Hwy 401 East Bound
2.) The constable was driving in front for 10 plus minutes.
3.) Just as dawn passed, he pulled the vehicle over.
4.) Issued a ticket for $150.00

Would some form of entrapment apply to this situation ?

Trial date Dec 16th/08.

 

[S.C. Joe]

Why, I am all against speed traps, ticket cameras, road side check points but gee, driving without your lights on is unthoughtful and dangerous. What are you saying, cause the police car was in front of the car without the headlights on, the driver could not tell it was getting dark outside....what happen was the driver must have just forgot...thats how drunks get caught too.

Now many new cars today turn the lights on when needed, the driver might want to look in to a different car. Even a few years old they have it.

When in doubt turn your lights on, the cop was decent for waiting 10 mins, I would have turn my headlight right on when I seen him, they can not ticket you for having your headlights on, even during the daytime. Why ask for problems

 

[ig-88]

i don't like those guys who pimp their ride, and put in those extra bright lights

 

[red]

Any assistance, case study/ links, to fight and win this charge would be appreciated. I've, drafted a letter for disclosure. The following occurred:

1.) Location - Hwy 401 East Bound
2.) The constable was driving in front for 10 plus minutes.
3.) Just as dawn passed, he pulled the vehicle over.
4.) Issued a ticket for $150.00

Would some form of entrapment apply to this situation ?

Trial date Dec 16th/08.

isn't dawn when the sun rises? so you were driving in the dark without lights on?

 

[The Bandit]

I can never understand it, if your lights are off, you can't even see your dash/speedometer.

At least once a week I have to flash my highbeams for others that either drive with their highbeams, or no lights/parking lights.

 

[tboy]

I think Bull might have only pulled out or turned the switch to the first detent position (which is just running lights) but here in Canada our lights are on all the time.....

yeah those auto headlights are da bomb. I haven't had to turn mine on or off in 2 yrs lol....

But if buddy was driving at night with no headlights, how did he see where he was going?

 

[shack]

I can never understand it, if your lights are off, you can't even see your dash/speedometer.

It actually happened to me last night. My dash lights were on (automatic feature in my car if it gets dark) but the douchebag mechanic at my dealer turned off the auto headlight feature at my car servicing so it turned out to be only my DRL were on. I wasn't sure if the lights were on or not, so I pulled over and played with the controls until I figured out what was going on.

 

[S.C. Joe]

Its not only if YOU can see where you are going, its can other drivers see you

Not everybody's eye sight might be as good as yours, yes those DRL lights are a big help even during the daytime but once I had my headlights on a good hour before needed and two deer ran out in front, the last deer was like aiming right for my front end--I was able to cut it hard and it ran in to the back trunk area. Was knock down-sat down like-and then ran off....I still think today my headlights play a part....you are not to use lights when you go hunting.

 

[papasmerf]

In NYS

Here is how the law works


30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset, you head lights must be on

 

[Mufflicker]

This is from the New York state drivers manual

"The law requires you to use your headlights from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m) and whenever you are using your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet, etc."

You don't have to turn your lights on until the sun has been down for a half hour and you can turn them off a half hour before sunrise.

 

[Never Compromised]

This is from the New York state drivers manual

"The law requires you to use your headlights from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m) and whenever you are using your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet, etc."

You don't have to turn your lights on until the sun has been down for a half hour and you can turn them off a half hour before sunrise.

Ontario had the same law, but changed to half an hour BEFORE sunset and half an hour after sunrise. And it is not just headlights, it is also tail lights. Visibility is 500 feet, not the 1000 of the New York example.

 

[tboy]

I'm pretty sure that we still have the same law, but we use metric (150m)....

Does anyone know what the DRL requirement is? I've seen threads on other forums where guys are wiring their BMWs to run only the "angel eyes" as DRL. Those rings aren't very visible at all???

I'm pretty sure DRL indicates HEADLIGHTS and they only need to be run at half power. I know with many of the new cars I have driven after this law came into effect the headlights brightened significantly once turned to the full on position.

Just because people are doing things to their cars doesn't make it legal.

Joe: If your headlights affected the deer at all it would have paralyzed them not make them run towards you. That is where the old saying "like a deer caught in the headlights" comes from, if you shine a bright light into a deer's eyes, they freeze.

 

[bogo]

Why does everyone getting a ticket for an infraction want to beat the system?...ya fucked up, pay the frickin fine and move on!!...sheeeeeeesh!!

I agree except where points are involved. Bloody insurance has a long memory.

 

[S.C. Joe]

Michigan its 500 feet....guess the drivers in N.Y. can't see as well.

It is dumb how each state has different laws. Some state you need to turn on the headlights when ever the wipers are on.

 

[Larry_Fyne]

I agree except where points are involved. Bloody insurance has a long memory.

So.... if you really care about keeping your cash, do what is legal.

 

[great bear]

In this case the lights were off and no one was home.

 

[kk56]

So during the day in ON lights do not have to be on. I did not know, since all (nearly all) cars have there llights on during day., apparently just voluntarily....

 

[Aardvark154]

Any assistance, case study/ links, to fight and win this charge would be appreciated. I've, drafted a letter for disclosure. The following occurred:

1.) Location - Hwy 401 East Bound
2.) The constable was driving in front for 10 plus minutes.
3.) Just as dawn passed, he pulled the vehicle over.
4.) Issued a ticket for $150.00

Would some form of entrapment apply to this situation ?

Trial date Dec 16th/08.

Bullrider, looking at this from a Crown perspective:

The (Ontario) Highway Traffic Act § 62.(1) reads: When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall carry three lighted lamps in a conspicuous position, one on each side of the front of the vehicle which shall display a white or amber light only, and one on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red light only. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (1).

You really should consult a flesh and blood lawyer, but in no way, shape or form is it entrapment to me