Florida Statute § 316.217 requires drivers to use headlights from sunset to sunrise, including during twilight hours. You must also turn them on any time your windshield wipers are running due to rain, or when fog or smoke reduces your visibility. In addition, Florida Statute § 316.220 sets equipment standards such that every vehicle needs two white-light headlights mounted between 24 and 54 inches from the road.
Headlight Rules In Florida?
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Violating these rules is a traffic infraction that can result in a fine. However, the consequences can extend well beyond a ticket if a car accident occurs. Read on so that you can protect your legal rights and interests.
Reach out to a Fort Myers car accident attorney to schedule a free case consultation today. Call (239) 277-0005.
Conditions That Require Headlight Use
Many drivers assume headlights are only necessary after dark, but Florida law says otherwise. The requirement kicks in during the transitional period between daylight and full darkness, not just once the sun has fully set.
Other situations that require headlights include:
- Any time your windshield wipers are in use because of precipitation
- When fog reduces your visibility on the road
- When smoke or mist is present, even during the daytime
- Whenever signage on the road directs you to turn them on
Ignoring these rules puts you at risk of a citation and significantly reduces your ability to see and be seen by other motorists.
What the Law Says About High Beams
Florida also regulates how you use your high beams. Under state law, you must dim them when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. The same rule applies when you are following another car at a distance of 300 feet or less.
Failing to do so can temporarily blind the other driver and create a serious hazard. While high beams are useful on dark rural roads, using them improperly on a busy street or highway is both illegal and dangerous.
Aftermarket Lighting and Equipment Restrictions
Not all custom lighting is legal in Florida. The state sets clear boundaries on what you can add to your vehicle.
Key restrictions to be aware of include:
- Red lights must not be visible from the front of the vehicle
- Blue lights are reserved exclusively for law enforcement
- Fog lights must sit below the primary headlights and produce a lower output
- No more than two spotlights or auxiliary lights are permitted
If your aftermarket setup does not comply with these standards, you could face penalties even if your primary headlights are functioning properly.
How a Headlight Violation Can Impact an Accident Claim
If a driver causes a crash while operating without headlights or with illegal lighting, that violation can serve as evidence of negligence. If someone hit you and their headlights were off, improperly modified, or not functioning, it may strengthen your case.
Per Florida’s modified comparative negligence statute, demonstrating that the other driver broke a traffic law can help establish fault. It can also work to protect your share of the recovery by shifting blame away from you.
Garvin Injury Law Can Help After a Car Accident in Florida
If you were injured in a crash involving a driver who failed to follow Florida’s headlight laws, you may be entitled to compensation for both your economic and non-economic damages. We’ve won tens of millions of dollars for our clients and have been in business for more than 50 years.
Set up a free consultation with Garvin Injury Law today to learn more at (239) 277-0005.