Because we plunge into what feels like endless darkness for six months out of the year, lights in all forms and fashions are important to people in Maine. That includes on the road, where headlights have been required with even the slightest hint of darkness or inclement weather. But what about your interior lights? Interior lights have often been a gray area for drivers unsure whether or not they can be used while simultaneously operating a vehicle.

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It is NOT Illegal to Drive With Your Interior Lights on

According to policygenius, Maine state law does not forbid drivers from using their interior dash or dome lights while operating a motor vehicle. Typically, people use them while stopped or attempting to find something in their car. Under Maine law, that is entirely acceptable. But the question over whether or not usage of interior lights is legal or not is because there is a very gray area that needs further explanation.

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Townsquare Media
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Over-Usage or Abuse of Interior Lights Could Get You in Trouble

The gray area over interior lights is simple: don't overuse them, or else you potentially turn yourself or someone else into a distracted driver. Unlike air travel, having an overhead light on while driving so that a passenger can read a book isn't welcomed in the world of driving. If a police officer deems your interior light usage to be distracting, they could give you a citation for distracted or reckless driving. Both of those can carry hefty fines.

A police office on the side of the road as he writes a ticket.
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30 Maine Restaurants to Grab Delicious Takeout

Thanks to our great listeners, we compiled a list of many of Maine's best joints to grab takeout. These spots can be found statewide, waiting for you to try them.

How many of these have you had?

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli

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