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Driving in the rain? Use your headlights!

headlights-in-rainMass. Law Implemented in 2015 Virtually Unknown to Residents

As many of our customers are aware, we are thorough when we put you into a rental car.  We go over controls, and show you where everything is.  We also offer you of a few important tips, including a Massachusetts law that seems little known.

In April of 2015, Massachusetts joined the ranks of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont in requiring drivers to use full headlights in inclement weather.   The measure unifies the entire North East with this safety precaution.

For many drivers, this is a revelation.  We have had many customers tell us they were unaware of the new law, despite media coverage in 2015 before it went into effect.  For other drivers, it is an inconvenience.  With the ‘Automatic’ headlights feature, many drivers find they are completely unaware of when their lights are on.  The feature includes sensors that allow headlights to turn on based on ambient light. It is often not fully understood, including any requirements that the ‘Automatic’ feature would not cover.

Many late-model vehicles now have indicators for when lights are on, which may also be misleading.  For example, in the Hyundai vehicles, the green ‘Lights On’ indicator illuminates even when the running lights are on, meaning your headlights could be turned off.  In daylight, it is more likely to go unnoticed, causing more potential for non-compliance.  Some models may include a ‘Rain’ option in settings that is disabled by default.  It is always important to familiarize yourself vehicle’s options.  Take some time today to find out how you can be in compliance.

We all want the safest driving experience, and to help prevent accidents, and keep our customers from paying fines when possible.  Help spread the word so your friends are also aware!

Toll Booths will be a thing of the past.

Tolls in Massachusetts – Big Changes Ahead!

New System takes Effect October 28th.

Electronic Tolls are Here!
Massachusetts’ new Electronic Tolls

As many of you may have noticed, Massachusetts is joining several states with an all-electronic tolls system, kicking us into the future whether we want to go or not.  The new system has many advantages, and a few disadvantages for our less-technology-inclined residents.  Read all about it in the WWLP Story.

The new tolls system takes effect on October 28th, and demolition on the old booths starts shortly after that.  It sounds as if you will never know they were there before winter takes hold.

New transponders are a bit unsightly, but do make it easier to fly down the highway.  No longer will you need to stop, or slow down, when entering and exiting the turnpike, but it may cause confusion when you borrow someone’s car, or in our case, when you rent a car.  If you are unfamiliar with them, they work by taking a snapshot of the license plate of your vehicle as you pass under.  Or if you have an E-Z Pass transponder, it will also communicate with the device to automatically charge your account – if your plate matches.  And if you do not have an account, or your information is incorrect, it will send a

North Amherst Motors is Ready!

To make life easier for our customers – and for us! – we are planning to add E-Z Pass transponders to our available accessories.  This will help customers to take advantage of the discounts available to E-Z Pass holders, even in their rental cars.

If a customer still has their own transponder, they are welcome to use it.  As always, remember to add our rental to your account for during your rental period, and then remember to remove it again after so that you are not charged for other customers’ travels.

The future is here – even if you’re not ready!