Dodge County Sheriffs Law Of The Month

Often we see motorist who fail to dim their headlamps when meeting or following other vehicles.  New vehicles have very bright headlamps and may blind others on the roads if they are not dimmed properly. 

Failing to dim headlamps carries a fine of $162.70 and 3 points.   

Wisconsin statute 347.12 states:347.12(1) (1) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a highway during hours of darkness, the operator shall use a distribution of light or composite beam directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or vehicle at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations: 347.12(1)(a) (a) Whenever the operator of a vehicle equipped with multiple-beam headlamps approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the operator shall dim, depress or tilt the vehicle’s headlights so that the glaring rays are not directed into the eyes of the operator of the other vehicle. This paragraph does not prohibit an operator from intermittently flashing the vehicle’s high-beam headlamps at an oncoming vehicle whose high-beam headlamps are lit. 347.12(1)(b) (b) Whenever the operator of a vehicle equipped with multiple-beam headlamps approaches or follows another vehicle within 500 feet to the rear, the operator shall dim, depress, or tilt the vehicle’s headlights so that the glaring rays are not reflected into the eyes of the operator of the other vehicle. This paragraph does not prohibit an operator from intermittently flashing the vehicle’s high-beam headlamps as provided under par. (a).

Bright headlamps help motorist drive safely by illuminating the roadway while driving at night.  Those bright headlamps can be a safety concern for those who are meeting them or being followed.  Capt. Trace Frost of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind all motorists to dim their headlamps when meeting or following other vehicles on the road.