New Daytime Running Lights Legislation Comes into Effect

New legislation supporting road safety comes into effect Monday, April 13, with the mandatory use of daytime running lights.

"We are confident that the added safety that daytime running lights provide will benefit all road users," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Brooke Taylor.

Passed in the fall session of the legislature, the new law will require drivers to use low-beam headlights during daylight hours if they do not have automatic daytime running lights. Daytime running lights have been shown to reduce daytime injury crashes by three to 10 percent.

While daytime running lights are mandatory on all vehicles manufactured and sold in Canada after 1990, there are a number of vehicles on Nova Scotia's roads that were built prior to that time. Antique cars are exempt.

The fines, including court costs, will range from $164.50 for the first offence to $337.00 for the third and subsequent offences.

Information on the daytime running lights legislation can be found on the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.