Ticket for headlights off in personal vehicle

New cars can fool you. All the dash lights are on and running lights are pretty bright. I use the headlight switch and turn them on and off, not auto.

 

the way most modern dash’s are lit up and people getting reliant on auto lights (like op) is why, like swerving no longer think oh they are drunk, just they are on the phone

 

The ticket will have no impact on your CDL or it's renewal. AT THE MOST, it could mean the one most strict employer will be 10% less enthusiastic about hiring you. But, being new that company wouldn't hire you anyway. You are inexperienced.

It's a minor ticket. It's just barely worse than a parking ticket.

What grounds are there to get itvthrown out. 'I didn't know or 'I didn't mean to' are not likely to win. Maybe the judge has mercy. I think you are too concerned.

 

Since the auto headlights came out this happens frequently. The headlight switch is now a forgotten item to check. I use the manual switch because I know it is up to me. Automation leads to inattention, "the automation will take care of that".

 

I'm guilty also, had just finished a night shift at a Wal-Fart got on a street that was so lit up I could see my dash at 0300, cop pulled me over and I actually got out of the ticket (only time) because he said they actually had a petition going to remove or make 50% of lights non operating as a safety concern.

 

What does your state's law say about when headlights are required ? Is it 30 minutes before or after sunset ? What time was it when you got stopped ?
Was it clear or cloudy ?

These are the kind of things that may or may not help you beat the ticket.


Pete

 

Problem is all the new digital dashes that are lit up like spacecraft as long as key is on. Used to be no dash lights meant no running lights. Cars also had brakes on same fuse as dash so no dash lights with head lights on meant no brake lights.

 

WRONG! Brake lights have been seperate from headlights since probably the 1950's.....

 

Sorry. You are right. It is tail lights.

 

All you need to know is what time was sunset, and what time was the ticket. Look it up.