headlights staying on

on my '98 88 i've noticed that over the past 1 1/2 yrs that the headlights have gotten to where they are on almost the whole time the car is running. even in broad daylight, they are usually on as they would be if it was dark. Occasionally during the day, i will hear the relay shut them off, but its not for long and it rarely happens. Are the optic sensors prone to going out on these cars? is there a way to unplug or bypass the system or something? i imagine that it causes the bulbs premature failure and the added heat in the housings in 90 some degree weather in the summer doesnt help. i imagine the replacement sensors cost more than i want to know.

In Canada all vehicles since 1990 have a daylight headlights on automatic feature. You can't turn them off.