Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 17: Use of high-beam lights is a major cause for road accidents in the country in the night. Motorists constantly use high beam headlights and flout the traffic rules.

For instance, youngsters develop a tendency to modify their vehicles be it the two-wheeler or the four-wheeler to use high lumens, LED lights, flickers and many such additional accessories causing danger to vehicles coming from the opposite direction. They also show little concern for the rules or violations.

As per Sec 360(3) r/w 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, the traffic police can impose a fine if any vehicle is seen needlessly using high beam headlights. High beam headlights need to be used only on such roads where the visibility for driving is low which happens to be mostly in rural, semi-rural and a few poorly lit city roads besides the national highways.

Use of modified headlights and tail lights are against the law. A motorist cannot really swap his headlamps for the ones with the colour of his choice and if the headlights are too bright it can blind the vehicles coming from the opposite direction 

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, bulbs used in the headlights should not be more than 7 watts. It is also illegal under Section 177 of Indian Motor Vehicle Act to use modified or inappropriate headlights.

When a motorist uses high-beam headlights the chances of accidents becomes high because it covers a distance of 100 meters and it interrupts the vehicle driver’s vision who is coming in the opposite direction, whereas a low beam light focuses downward.

Transport vehicles such as autos and buses use a number of additional lights with several colours in it. Are they really required? Even flicker lights with red and blue colours are being used by two-wheelers riders, which poses greater danger once the headlights are switched off.

Flickers are used only in emergency vehicles such as Police vehicles, ambulance and fire fighting services.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, one of the traffic cops says, using high beam headlights or any kind of additional lights is against law. “We impose a fine of Rs 500 whenever there is a violation but we do not have provision to remove the high beam lights. An order has to be passed where cops should get provision to remove such lights after a fine is slapped,” he said.

Some vehicles have in-built unmodified hi-beam lights. Such vehicle owners end up arguing with the police while also posing danger to vehicles coming from opposite directions, he added.

A commuter said, “Many a times when I ride my two-wheeler, the road is totally invisible as a  four-wheeler coming from the opposite direction uses hi-beam lights. They do not use dim dipper as well when required.

The common reason given behind using such high beam lights seems to be that of lack of visibility on roads even with the lighting available. Are the motorists allowed to drive vehicles as per road safety act? Don’t the people who sincerely follow dim dipper or use existing lights need additional light?

As per rules if the vehicle owner is a repeated offender of traffic violation then there is a provision to suspend his license irrespective of whether the vehicle owner breaks rules by using hi-beam lights or additional lights or flicker lights.

Use of headlights, additional lights and flickers are more prevalent in rural limits compared to the city limits. Vehicles plying on the Charmadi – B C Road, Puttur to B C Road in top speed with such high beam lights and additional lights pose danger to other vehicles..

Police need to conduct drive

Police are constantly conducting special drives against the use of shrill horns and tinted glasses on cars. At the same time, Police need to conduct special drives against the use of high beam lights and additional lights that pose danger and to prevent road accidents.

When a drive is conducted against tinted glasses, police have a provision to remove them. Police should be given provision to remove such lights from the vehicles when the fine is being collected from the vehicle owners.