All states have traffic laws that require motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways to have certain mechanical equipment installed and functioning properly. For example, a motor vehicle is required to have working headlights and taillights—and to turn headlights on at specified times, such as up to 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

A broken or burned-out headlight or taillight is a common reason for a police officer to stop a vehicle and issue a ticket or citation—and a reason for the officer to inquire and investigate whether the driver has consumed any alcohol before operating the vehicle.

In some states tickets or citations for mechanical violations are known as fix-it tickets and the ticket or citation will indicate that it is a correctable violation of traffic laws. If you fix the mechanical problem within the required period and get the signature of an authorized person (a local police officer) the court may dismiss the ticket.

But if you fail to fix the mechanical problem within the required period you must pay the fine for the violation and you may be issued another ticket that will be part of your driving record.

In Rhode Island, traffic laws mandate that all motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways must be equipped with certain mechanical equipment that functions properly, such as working headlights and taillights. Rhode Island law requires headlights to be used from sunset to sunrise, during times of poor visibility, and when windshield wipers are in use. If a vehicle is found to have a mechanical violation, such as a broken or burned-out headlight or taillight, law enforcement officers have the authority to stop the vehicle and issue a citation. These citations can sometimes be 'fix-it tickets,' which are correctable violations. The driver can rectify the issue within a specified period and have the correction verified by an authorized person, such as a local police officer, to potentially have the ticket dismissed by the court. However, failure to correct the issue within the allotted time frame will result in a fine and the citation may become part of the driver's record.