When it doesn't rain. Should go into effect in October.

Dems, making more laws for YOU!

Dems, can't do their own job, so they get YOU to do it.

So just  WTF did Simitian do to earn our taxes? Besides run for
another office? I demand a refund, and spend his salary on something
we REALLY need, like some Botts Dots on 280 or 101 where any sliver of
lane dividing disappears in the rain.

By Amy Oakes
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 3, 2005

California drivers soon will have to flip on their headlights when the
weather is wet enough that their wiper blades are in constant motion.

The concept might be new for some drivers, so they have six months to
start the new habit. The law goes into effect July 1.

"It's not something very difficult," said California Highway Patrol
Officer Lorenzo Ruano. "It's just people getting used to it."

The law states that drivers of all motor vehicles, except motorcycles,
must turn on their headlights when they use their windshield wipers in
rain, mist, snow, fog or other precipitation. Headlights also must be
turned on when drivers cannot clearly see a person or vehicle 1,000
feet away.

Ruano said many new vehicles have lights that are automatically on when
the engine is running. Those drivers will not need to turn on their
headlights when their windshield wipers are on.

As for enforcement, Ruano said, it will be at the officers' discretion.
"If it's raining, the officer will probably be doing other stuff," he
said.

Violators will be cited. Ruano said the penalty will be determined by
the courts.

The rain this week caused many traffic problems. On Tuesday, 243
collisions were reported in San Diego County between midnight and 10
p.m., the CHP said. That number included only accidents on freeways and
unincorporated roads under the CHP's jurisdiction.

Ruano said drivers should use common sense if they have doubts about
whether to turn on their headlights and windshield wipers. If the
majority of vehicles are using their wipers, he said, "you should
probably have yours on."

"I probably would have done it automatically," said Darlene La Madrid
as she left the AAA office in Chula Vista. "It never occurred to me
that it would be a law."

The 69-year-old Chula Vista resident said that although she didn't know
about the new law, she wouldn't have to change her habits. The lights
on her 2002 Buick Park Avenue turn on when she starts the engine.

The law was written by former Assemblyman Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto.
Simitian is now a state senator representing District 11, which
includes San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.

Simitian said the law was proposed by two women in his district who
submitted ideas in his annual "It Ought to be a Law" contest. His
Assembly district includes all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo and
Santa Clara counties.

Simitian held the contest for three years, usually picking a few
entries to become proposed legislation. Six bills from those contests
have become laws.

"It's everyday people coming up with everyday solutions," Simitian
said.

He said he wasn't enthusiastic about the headlights proposal at first.
But after he did some research, he found that at least a dozen other
states required the use of headlights when windshield wipers are on.

"There's a demonstrable improvement in highway safety during inclement
weather," he said.

Simitian met with transportation officials and the CHP to discuss the
concept. Having the law go into effect in July, he said, gives drivers
time to get used to the practice.

"The goal is not for everyone to get a ticket," he said. "The goal is
for everyone to drive safely."