Blinding Roads: The High Beam Headlamp Culture in India
Introduction
At night, driving in India involves dealing with poor roads, dim lighting and unexpected way drivers behave. Along with all of that, there is a big annoyance: people frequently use their high beams when not needed. Drivers usually turn on their high beams while on the road, whether near cities or out on national highways, often mindless of other drivers approaching. Though this problem is small in itself, it also reflects wider issues and can cause many road accidents.
Here, we discuss the behaviour of high beams on India’s roads—what leads to this, its results, how it stacks up against other places and how it could be handled.
1. What is a High Beam and Why It Matters
How vehicles are kept safe has improved thanks to the introduction of high beams in the first part of the 20th century. Before electric headlights were common, early cars' lights were acetylene lamps and these lit the paths only a little. As cars technology developed, lights that allow drivers to use low and high beams – called dual-beam headlights – came on the market in the 1920s. Each year, high beams have played an important role in keeping roads safe, allowing drivers to drive on highways at night, in rural areas and through bad weather. Using high beams reduces the risk of collisions at night, but many still don’t take advantage of them.
Research points out that only a small amount of drivers turn on their high beams when they should and yet a large number of deadly crashes take place at night, in places where there is not much light. Since these challenges exist, manufacturers now use systems that automatically change brightness to reduce glare. Thanks to growth in technology, LED headlights and smart sensors are making vehicle lighting safer and less prone to accidents on poorly lit roads. It’s very important to know when and how to use high beams to help ensure safety for yourself, anyone else on the road and pedestrians.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandates that vehicles must be equipped with dip (low beam) and main (high beam) beams. But compliance and proper usage are a different story.
2. Statistics: The Stark Reality in India
· Although India has many car regulations, they are seldom followed by authorities. This is what some recent statistics have to say:
· In 2022, according to MoRTH, there were more than 1.55 lakh road accident fatalities in India. Trial authorities believe that most night accidents are partly triggered by incorrect use of high beams, although numbers are not usually recorded.
The 2021 report by NCRB found that night-time does not bring a huge increase in road traffic, yet night-time accidents account for 35–40% of all road mishaps. A lot of road accidents happen because of high beams.
According to a 2018 survey by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), 65% of vehicles on roads across India, specifically in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, are misusing high beams.
Because many pedestrian areas are not well lit, high beams tend to make it hard for people to see. Nearly 20% of highway pedestrians who die every year are struck by vehicles, as IIT Madras concluded in 2020.
3. Why Do Indians Use High Beams Excessively?
A. Weak Road Lighting
Underperforming streetlights are largely responsible for the high use of high beams here in India. Roads in cities outside the major cities, known as tier-2 and tier-3, are often too dark, prompting drivers to keep their high beams on. Because many of these highways don’t have streetlights, a high beam is necessary rather than optional. In most large cities, streetlights are not well maintained and that makes night driving unsafe.
It is to be noted that after three months of continuous travel for this blog we have found that even if the highway is well lit and clearly visible 200 metres most of the drivers including two wheeler, commercial vehicle drivers, private cars use high beam and traffic police did not do anything .
B. Not Enough Teaching About Driving
A large number of Indians learn to drive with guidance from relatives or through personal trials and very few have professional driving lessons. Because headlight etiquette is rarely valued, not many people know how bright lights can be dangerous. Unlike in most developed countries, where schools train drivers to use their lights for night driving, the Indian licencing process does not include anything about lights at night or how to prevent glare. Because many people do not know better, drivers often leave their high beams on, putting both pedestrians and others on the road in danger.
3. Lack of Law Enforcement
Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act prohibits dazzling lights, but implementation is negligible. There are no dedicated checks or fines for high beam misuse.
C. There is little or no police action in these places.
The law in Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act bans dazzling lights, but the regulations aren’t being enforced. While police punish drivers for broken lights or missing turn indicators, they seldom notice those who break the high beam rules.
As Delhi and Mumbai deal with bigger concerns of traffic like speeding and drunk driving, they have little time to focus on people leaving their high beams on. Because there are no regular checks for cars, cars with changed headlights and illegal LEDs are still allowed on the streets.
4. The production and reconstruction of vehicles
More and more aftermarket LED and HID headlights are being used which has added to the problem. Many drivers make their headlights extremely bright by leaving them on high beam without use of the switch.
On many occasions, these additional lights are so powerful they surpass approved luminance, making it hard to see when coming toward another vehicle. In contrast to automatic regulated high beams found elsewhere, most Indian drivers keep their high beams on all the time and do not choose lower settings.
How Might India Overcome This Problem?
Driving schools and licencing programmes have to make sure drivers know how to use headlights responsibly.
- Actively take action: Police should give high beam misusers tickets and run strict checks on headlight changes.
- Strengthening Road Infrastructure: More effort should be made by governments to install adequate lighting on streets in poor communities.
- Oversized LED and HID installations that are too bright should be prohibited.
5. A Mere Show off
Drivers here use high beams to show they have a premier car, not because they actually need them. As a result, there are now more cases of high beam abuse, so oncoming motorists often get temporarily blinded which creates more accidents.
One of the main reasons high beams are misused in India is that many people use them during the day.
A few drivers think that shining their high beams helps their car seem more authoritative on the road.
A lot of motorists do not understand how excess brightness from lights can put others in danger.
In some places, poor lighting on highways makes it necessary for drivers to use their high beams, even when they’re not required.
Using high beams in city centres is illegal; however, few get caught doing it, so many people still use them.
What Happened as a Result
High beam errors account for about 40% of accidents at night in India.
Most drivers in these states (73.83%) turn on their high beams at night even when it’s uncalled for.
Being blinded by high beams for 20 to 60 seconds can be very dangerous for highway driving.
There are several possible solutions to this problem.
Giving out stronger fines and better enforcement to those breaking traffic laws.
Public information programs explaining how to use headlights safely.
Automatic high beam dimming technology that works when oncoming cars are detected by your car.
Would you be interested in looking at the role **new technology and policy rules** play in dealing with this issue?
Global Comparison: How Other Countries Handle It
United States
· State laws govern how high beam is supposed to be used.
· Most new cars now have sensors that help your high beams adapt based on the cars in front.
· The police regularly give fines for failing to drive properly.
· Most of the roads here are brightly lit, so you don’t need to use high beams much.
Germany
You may only use high beams when driving on roads where no other cars approach from the other direction.
· You should dip your high beams any time another vehicle is getting near.
· Drivers learn all the rules about when and how to turn on lights on their vehicles.
· You may be given hefty penalties and points on your licence for breaking the rules.
Japan
· Adaptive lighting systems are now included in many vehicles.
• It is considered polite not to bother others and this includes how you drive.
· Regular education drives inform motorists about what they need to do with their headlights.
Consequences of High Beam Misuse in India
Using high beams wrongly in India has resulted in lots of night time accidents. Regulations are not keeping many drivers from using high beams carelessly, causing danger for other drivers.
Significant Results of Using High Beam Improperly:
1. There is a greater chance of getting in an accident.
- Study findings suggest that one of the main reasons for night time accidents in India is using the high beam improperly.
Driving on highways is risky within 20-60 seconds after being temporarily blinded by oncoming bright beams.
2. Legal Huge Penalties
`It is illegal to use high beams in cities and anyone found guilty can face a fine of up to ₹1000.Govt should make this mandatory and increase the amount of minimum 10,000.
This section of the Motor Vehicles Act outlaws dazzling lights, but it’s seldom followed.
3. Health Hazards
Getting too much light from high beams can lead to tired eyes, discomfort and difficulties seeing over the long run.
If you have eye surgery and experience bright glare for a long period, ophthalmologists suggest your retina could be at risk.
Problems with using high beams at night have caused many road accidents in India. Regulations are not enough to prevent many drivers from using their high beams improperly which can be dangerous for other drivers.
Serious Effects of Useless High Beam Lights:
1. A Greater Chance of Having an Accident
- Research has found that 40% of night-time crashes in India occur due to misuse of high beams.
If your high beams blind someone, they can be temporarily blind for anywhere from 20 to 60 seconds which makes driving on highways a serious threat.
2. Legal Penalties
If you use high beams when you are in a city’s limits, you could be charged with an offence and fined a maximum of ₹10,000.
Even though dazzling headlights are prohibited by Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act, they are rarely checked by law enforcement.
3. Health Hazards
Having to deal with high beams for extended durations can lead to tired eyes, discomfort and harm to your vision down the road.
Ophthalmologist’s alert people that prolonged exposure to glare can hurt the retina which is dangerous for anyone who has had eye surgery.
Technological Solutions: Can Innovation Help?
1. Adaptive Headlights
Adaptive headlights introduce a major change in car safety, making it easier for drivers to see at night while avoiding unwanted glare on other cars. In contrast to traditional headlights, adaptive headlights are programmed to change both their angle, brightness and shape of light according to factors such as vehicle speed, where the driver is steering and what the road surface is like. The curves are made safer as the headlights pivot to shine onto the area ahead, narrowing the angle of blindness for the driver. At top speeds, they throw the light further, so you can see objects from afar, but at lower speeds they aim the beam down, helping you notice nearby people, junctions and potential hazards. One main reason these are helpful is because they dim automatically when a car is approaching, avoiding temporary blindness for other drivers. Leading researchers argue that adaptive lighting systems make driving safer at night by boosting visibility and, at the same time, preventing glare. Even though they are found mainly in premium cars, using high beams more widely in mid-range cars has the potential to improve road safety greatly in countries such as India, since using high beams incorrectly is so common there. Thanks to ongoing improvements in AI-powered headlights and smart road sensors, adaptive lighting will achieve higher accuracy, greater efficiency and become accessible to more people.
2. Headlamp Levelling Systems
Lighting systems that adjust the beam ensure that the road stays well illuminated and keep blinding light away from approaching drivers when you add or remove cargo from your vehicle. These systems constantly adjust the angle of your lights based on the car’s pitch so you remain visible and safe. Because there is seldom awareness of the feature, most drivers prefer automatic headlamps and rarely use headlamp levelling manually.
Advanced cars usually come with headlamp levelling, using sensors to sense when the car is raised up to avoid making oncoming drivers feel dazzled by the lights. Dynamic headlamp levelling makes adjustments to the beam angle automatically in changing situations, helping you spot obstacles in every driving situation. They look after your safety by lessening accident hazards, improving what you can see on the road and improving your chances of driving securely, particularly with people or cargo inside the vehicle. Even though correctly levelling headlamps is required in many countries, the same is not commonly practised or known about in India, so people misuse their headlights. Tougher laws and bigger use of adjustable brightness systems can increase road safety and lower the problems caused by high beams.
3. Automatic Dipping Mirrors
With these mirrors, known as auto-dimming, the surface automatically dims to cut the glare from behind when it is night, enhancing driving safety. The mirrors are able to adjust their appearance automatically using electrochromic technology which helps drivers avoid temporary blindness and reduces fatigue. When incoming headlights are detected, the existing light sensors make the mirror layer darker, instantly helping drivers see better without manual adjustments. Because they lessen the annoyance of bright lights, auto-dimming mirrors lower eye strain, better the driver’s comfort and ensure safer driving by avoiding reaction delays. More mid-range cars should have this advanced technology, because it would greatly boost night-driving conditions by offering a helpful solution to a very common road problem.
Policy and Enforcement: What Solutions Are Necessary
· Keeping people safe on roads in India depends on effective policies and strict enforcement against wrongful use of high beams. Licencing tests should be changed to require questions and practical exercises about headlights, so new drivers are ready for proper road etiquette and know how to avoid headlight glare. More strict application of Section 112 should be applied and frequent cheques for illegal additions to headlights are necessary. Both dedicated inspections and imposing fine penalties on those who use high beams wrongly should be done by traffic enforcement in urban areas where misuse frequently causes risk to road users. Educating people through posters, social media and classes can help make night-time responsible lighting regular practise. If manufacturers added adaptive headlights and automatic dipping systems to mid-range vehicles, there could be fewer glare-related accidents. If we combine learning, the rule of law and new tools together, safety on roads will increase for both drivers and pedestrians.
· Update Licensing Tests: Zooming in on high beam abuse, the best way to fix this is by modernising licencing tests and encouraging safe headlight practises. No part of the driving exam in India focuses on headlight habits, leaving new drivers ignorant about the risks of shining too much light. Making questions about using low beams during sunset and high beams during night-time mandatory can improve a driver’s knowledge of proper headlight use. Also, practising driving at night in virtual situations would allow people to encounter problems with glare and seeing well during the licencing phase. Implementing good road safety education when they are young can result in more conscientious drivers which in turn reduces night-time accidents and helps traffic run more safely on the whole.
· Install Light Sensors on Roads:
Putting light sensors at the side of the road could greatly improve the problem of high beam misuse. Much the same as speed cameras, they are set up to notice vehicles using high beams where they shouldn’t and automatically penalise drivers who do so. Adopting this system together with traffic surveillance networks would mean policing could be done from a distance, cutting down on the number of road officers needed. They can also detect when drivers use their high beams a lot, so policymakers can find out where people need awareness or brighter street lights. While installation of the device would be costly, the long-run results in safer driving and brighter roads could overtake those costs.
·
· Ban Aftermarket LED/HID Kits:
The aftermarket installation of LED and HID kits in India is regulated rather than entirely banned. There are guidelines set by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways which deal with road safety, specifically preventing accidents due to misuse of headlights which are overly bright or improperly adjusted.
· Following are the most important laws:
· Light Intensity: Headlights are capped at 3,000 lumens, and lights above 1.5 meters, or lights which are dazzling at 8at meters, are prohibited.
·
Modification Restrictions:
It is forbidden to change headlights and taillight fittings and modifications
for factories.
· Colour Restrictions: Blue light is not allowed, and all aftermarket changes must have a whitish temperature between 5,000K- 6,000K.
· Warranty concerns: The vehicle’s warranty may be voided because the altering of leds and hid lights is considered wiring changes by the manufacturer.
· Fines & Penalties: Unlawful use of high beam headlights or use of illegal alterations can attract penalties of minimum ₹10,000 and this must be mandatory might risk having their vehicle confiscated for repeat offenders.
· Highway Patrol Training: Enhancing road safety depends on highway patrol officers enforcing vehicle modification rules, therefore they are essential. Thanks to developments like AI-enabled dashboard cameras in Rajmarg Saathi patrol vehicles, officials may quickly spot unauthorised changes including aftermarket LED/HID kits which might offend legal criteria or impair visibility.
Regular routine inspections and data integration with enforcement applications ensure that non-compliant vehicles are flagged, helping maintain safer highways and reduce accident risks. Highway patrol training is increasingly technologically driven as India's roads change, enabling better traffic law enforcement and compliance checks. Data training is up to October 2023.
Role of Commercial Vehicle
The problem of high beam misuse in India is linked to commercial vehicles. Truck and bus drivers sometimes have to rely on high beams because many roads they travel are poorly lit. There are commercial drivers who misuse their vehicle’s high beams, increasing the risk of glare-caused accidents in cities.
Why Are High Beams Important and Commonly Used in Transport Vehicles?
Highways are designed to serve a necessity.
In many places, poorly lit highways require bus and truck drivers to use their high beams so they can spot signs and oncoming vehicles.
According to studies, most truck drivers turn down their headlights when oncoming traffic approaches, signalling they are more alert than owners of private vehicles.
It is also a problem for some inner-city locations.
Many motorists have trouble with visibility because commercial vehicles such as taxis and delivery vans, use their high beams even in crowded areas..
- Aftermarket Modifications:
Some commercial vehicles install extra-bright LED or HID headlights, increasing glare and making night driving hazardous.
Potential Solutions:
Making headlamp levelling systems required for commercial vehicles may lessen glare.
Driver training programmes can include...
Setting guidelines for commercial drivers stops many headlight problems.
• Better roads are being built:
Lighting along the sides of the highway can help people use lower beams.
The toughest fight is changing cultural practises.
Public engagement must take place all the time to change a persistent problem. The same as campaigns for seatbelts and helmets, India should have a "Dip the Beam, Save a Life" type of campaign. Schools, colleges and driving schools should be included as well.
Conclusion
Driving with high beam lights on in India goes beyond being annoying—it is putting everyone at risk. Since night is a dangerous time on both rural and urban roads, India must respond quickly with laws, technology and by making sure education is available for everyone involved.
A tiny movement with a switch may prevent deaths. We need to leave the shade of our ignorance behind and move upwards.
References
1. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) - Annual Reports
2. CRRI Studies on Night-Time Driving Hazards (2018)
3. IIT Madras Road Safety Studies (2020)
4. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Road Accident Data
5. International Transport Forum – Road Safety Annual Report
6. BIS Headlamp Regulations
7. WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety
No comments:
Post a Comment