Efficacy of wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation

Empirical evidence for the benefit of so-called wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation, requiring drivers to use vehicle headlamps when windshield wipers are on, is nonexistent. An evaluation of fatal, multi-vehicle crashes during daytime and nighttime in clear and rainy weather was made, for states in the US that have recently enacted such legislation, and for which crash data are available. Results indicate a statistically reliable reduction in the incidence of fatal, multi-vehicle crashes during daytime in these states relative to nighttime, when headlamp use would not be expected to differ before and after enactment of wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation.

► Evidence for the benefit of wipers-on, headlamps-on laws is scarce. ► Fatal, multi-vehicle crashes were evaluated for several states with these laws. ► An estimated reduction in the daytime incidence of these crashes in rainy weather was found.