Not all car headlights are valid and some could get you a fine, yes yes. Careful, this does not mean you should not turn on the lights, George, that is mandatory. But yes, you read that right. In the state of Massachusetts they have gotten serious with car headlights. But no, it is not because of the intensity of the light or because they bother more than they should. The problem, according to them, is something more technical. And even if you do not live there, if one day you drive on their roads, you better know what is going on if you do not want to end up with a fine.
What is wrong with the headlights?
It has happened to all of us at some point: you are driving at night and the car coming toward you blinds you with headlights that look like they came out of a spaceship. It may seem silly, but losing concentration for a couple of seconds at the wheel is very dangerous.
But this is not why Massachusetts has decided to ban them, but because they are badly installed. Yes, yes, because they installed them wrong.
No more replacement LEDs
The new regulation goes directly against LED headlights that many drivers buy on their own to replace the original ones of the car. We are talking about those kits seen on the internet, with white or bluish light, that are supposed to improve visibility and, at the same time, make the car look more modern, but far from that, they are not valid in Massachusetts.
And the thing is many change the yellowish stock halogens for LEDs because they last longer, consume less and look better. The problem is that not all systems are prepared for that change.
What does the law say?
Basically, that the headlights cannot be modified in parts. That is, you cannot change only the bulb if your car did not come from the factory with that type of bulb. U.S. law requires that the entire set (bulb, lens and reflector) be approved as a single unit so there is no possibility of failure of one of the parts.
And where is the problem? Well, because if you change only the bulb, the light beam may not project correctly. It does not matter if you think it lights well: if the system is not designed for LEDs, it can reflect badly or point where it should not. And that is indeed a safety problem, especially for whoever has to see you on the road.
Not everyone agrees
As always the new rule has not gone down well with everyone… Some drivers say it is not about safety, but about paperwork (they said that the State only wants to earn money…) That it does not matter if the light dazzles or not, but if you have the documents that prove that your system was approved as it should.
Be that as it may, the police are already checking cars closely, and it would not be surprising if they start fining those who made the change without respecting what the law says.
What can be done then?
The only way to be safe in Massachusetts is that your car already comes with LED headlights from the factory, or that you install a complete kit that is certified. No changing bulbs on your own because you like them more or because they light more. If you do not have the whole system approved, you are outside the law.
Manufacturers are already working on certified LED kits to be able to make changes without legal complications. And even if it seems exaggerated to many, these kits could prevent more than one problem on the road. Because even if we do not see it, using lenses not compatible with the original system of the car can bring those unexpected failures.
So, it is better to be sure than getting a fine, don’t you think so?