Among many dangers of driving in the night, accidents caused by violation of the high beam headlight rule is fast becoming a major concern.
The Bangalore City Traffic Police has set strict regulations and imposition of fines on people who flout the rule. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) MA Saleem said, “We have booked 18,860 cases for using high beam lights during night time. In fact, compared to last year, the number of cases has increased. We impose a fine of `100 for such cases. Apart from that, we have also booked 52,000 for drunken driving, 3,86,000 cases for not wearing helmet, 90,000 for over-speeding, 1,18,670 for using mobile phones while driving and 1,85,105 cases for driving without seat belt. The fine varies from case to case and sometimes they may even have to go to the courts”.
Although, the beam of the car’s headlights provide distant illumination, it has been observed that both LCV and HCV drivers do not operate dim and dip during night hours. It’s the lack of responsibility on the part of drivers towards other motorists. Despite the offenders being penalised by the police, still many continue to use blinding headlights.
Many car owners in the city still continue to instal powerful headlights thereby, not only causing inconvenience to other road-users but also increasing the risk of accidents. It is time the authorities took more stringent measures.
Automotive lighting usually lighting for automobiles provided either in the front, rear, sides and sometimes, on the top is basically for adequate illumination to the driver to operate a vehicle. If it is public transport buses, it is also used for displaying information on the route it is traversing. The front-end illumination is done by high (for driving purposes) and low (for dipping or passing vehicles) beam lights. Low beam lights are specifically meant for forward and side illumination so that other road users are not dazzled or face a glare from oncoming vehicles.
The main beam lights with high intensity of light and glare should be avoided in adequately lit roads and used only in isolated, dark areas of the countryside. But it is not so in our cities. Many countries including India have certain specifications and regulations regarding installation of lights be it intensity, colour or dim-dip options. Heavy commercial vehicles that traverse on the highways are also regulated to install additional lighting devices.