The RAV4 hybrid shares its distinctive looks with the regular model—although it cannot be had in the more butch Adventure trim—as well as its handsome and roomy interior, a long list of standard safety tech, comfortable front seats, and its nicely balanced ride, handling, and steering. Aside from the mushiness of its standard continuously variable automatic transmission versus the conventional model's eight-speed automatic, it's almost impossible to tell you're driving a hybrid. Its 1.6-kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is small enough to fit under the rear seat, so there's no loss in passenger or cargo space. Possibly best of all, in a RAV4 hybrid your ears won't ring from the aural assault doled out by the standard RAV4's obnoxious, grating engine note. At 73 decibels at wide-open throttle, the hybrid's sound reading is 3 decibels quieter than the regular version's, although noise levels are about the same at a 70-mph cruise. This compact ute will never sing Ferrari-style arias, but the sounds coming from under the hood are notably muffled and are now at least acceptable
compared to other vehicles in this class.

10/18/2016



​Montoursville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds motorists to turn on their vehicle’s headlights any time their windshield wipers are on. They should also be turned on between dusk and dawn, in fog, when visibility is less than ideal, and generally any time it would help you to see out of your vehicle or for others to see you better.

Pennsylvania law states that when your wipers are on, your headlights are also required to be on. Daylight running lights, a standard feature on most cars these days, are not enough. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights.

Also, according to Pennsylvania law, all motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones, not just active work zones. In 2015, the Pennsylvania State Police issued more than 600 citations for not using headlights and wipers when required to do so.

For more information about traffic safety, visit www.penndot.gov/safety or call 570-368-8686.
For local updates on Twitter visit https://twitter.com/511PAStateColl and follow PennDOT on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews.


MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Smith, 570-368-4344

§ 46.2-1030. When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights.

A. Every vehicle in operation on a highway in the Commonwealth shall display lighted headlights and illuminating devices as required by this article (i) from sunset to sunrise; (ii) during any other time when, because of rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced to a degree whereby persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet; and (iii) whenever windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow. The provisions of this subsection, however, shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.

B. Not more than four lights used to provide general illumination ahead of the vehicle, including at least two headlights and any other combination of fog lights or other auxiliary lights approved by the Superintendent, shall be lighted at any time. However, motorcycles may be equipped with and use not more than five approved lights in order to provide general illumination ahead of the motorcycle. These limitations shall not preclude the display of warning lights authorized in §§ 46.2-1020 through 46.2-1027, or other lights as may be authorized by the Superintendent.

C. Vehicles equipped with warning lights authorized in §§ 46.2-1020 through 46.2-1027 shall display lighted warning lights as authorized in such sections at all times when responding to emergency calls, towing disabled vehicles, or constructing, repairing, and maintaining public highways or utilities on or along public highways, except that amber lights on vehicles designed with a ramp on wheels and a hydraulic lift with a capacity to haul or tow another vehicle, commonly referred to as "rollbacks," need not be lit while the vehicle is in motion unless it is actually towing a vehicle.

D. The failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices under the conditions set forth in clause (iii) of subsection A shall not constitute negligence per se, nor shall violation of clause (iii) of subsection A constitute a defense to any claim for personal injury or recovery of medical expenses for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

E. No demerit points shall be assessed for failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices during periods of fog, rain, sleet, or snow in violation of clause (iii) of subsection A.

F. No citation for a violation of clause (iii) of subsection A shall be issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the driver of such motor vehicle for the violation of some other provision of this Code or local ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle or any criminal statute.

Code 1950, § 46-275; 1956, c. 640; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-268; 1960, c. 156; 1970, c. 165; 1983, c. 132; 1987, c. 381; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 364; 1997, cc. 25, 589; 2016, cc. 195, 206.

The chapters of the acts of assembly referenced in the historical citation at the end of this section may not constitute a comprehensive list of such chapters and may exclude chapters whose provisions have expired.

But, why don't you go ahead and drive around with your DRLs at night, and fight that one in court. Let us know how that worked out. Because that same statute governs night driving and bad weather driving. So, by your logic, the ambiguity should work out the same.

This should be a standard feature on all cars, IMO.