[Kiran Melkote]

I moved to Delhi NCR 10 years ago and it's been an education in bad driving manners. I don't want to generalize, as there are good (meaning - safe) drivers here too.

The cops ignore anyone who looks like he/she can't pay. 2 wheelers routinely drive on the wrong side right in front of them. I was even wrong sided by a TRUCK in Mahipalpur.

The drive back from my hospital in Gurgaon to my house in Delhi is terrible, especially since one is stuck in crawling traffic and high beams galore both oncoming and ones behind.

I deal with oncoming dazzlers by flashing my (very powerful) high beams at intervals of a few seconds - high beams on my car have been used only for this purpose over the last 6 years - works every time.

It's the ones behind that I can't seem to tackle. I have been mentally toying with a mirror-on-hinges james bond style contraption or a chrome reflector maybe to help - any suggestions?

I always slow down, let people overtake, not worth the hassle. Anyways, I get enough accident victims in the ER to remember to let these things go. I just bought a pair of yellow anti-glare glasses for night driving and it really helps.

Bonus: Since traffic is crawling anyway, slowing down also slows the offending vehicle behind. Horns? They are connected to the brakes here, so they blaring away already.

To the OP: I don't think going to the courts will help. My wife drives on high beams despite my telling her. (My 5 year old son keeps correcting her though :-))

We already have the law, it's just not implemented uniformly.

I remember my childhood days in Hyderabad (80's and 90's) where cops would stand at signals with black paint and paint over the top half of all scooter lights that were on high beam. That aside, I have never seen this law being implemented.

Fining people isn't going to help - the police will start targeting only high end vehicles and let cabs / 2 wheelers go.

I don't have a solution. But one of these days, I'm going to go mad-scientist and equip my ecosport with some extra buttons

[born.4thnov]

I agree that high beam driving is a menace especially for oncoming traffic. This has to be curbed somehow by imparting proper education to the truck drivers and in our case to the kartc bus drivers. I can't blame them though. I believe much of it in my part of the country (I am from Kottayam, Kerala) is due to badly illuminated roads and twists and turns with lots of blind spots with ample possibility of an accident.

[Ishallownabmw]

Originally Posted by pd1108

Here's a suggestion for Team-BHP. Can you develop a reflective sticker that simply says "Lower your Beam - You are blinding me and everyone on the road". All members could stick it on the back windscreen and thus start the awareness campaign

I drive in Hyderabad and trust me when I say this, my car would be filled with endless stickers top to bottom, front to back and sideways. By no means am I criticising you or the idea, it's just that I am looking at it in a very jolly way. Driving in the wrong direction, not using turn indicators, imagine how many stickers!

Unfortunately our system designs rules but it's so slow and sometimes can't even implement them. Why even waste tax payers money and paint lanes? Hyderabad is so full of people jumping the signal, it's not even funny. Under the nose of a traffic police! They honk when I stop at a red light which have recently been installed near a hospital for pedestrians to cross. Happy to abuse you as well. I have realised that it is sheer lack of empathy towards another person along with lack of common sense.

I drive a sedan and it's horrible after the sun sets in. Even if you signal by turning your high beam on and off, the opposite car doesn't drop their high beam.

In future we may all need educational billboards from the transport department like how we have for "do not drink and drive". I believe on this forum we can create awareness but a possible solution may require the transport authority to educate drivers. Constant advertising is the only way to get something into your head

[John]

"The glare from LED headlights has a particularly strong effect on drivers with conditions that lead to light sensitivity."

https://amp.theguardian.com/global/2...hts-too-bright

[Communist]

Originally Posted by Yesterdaysnews

Could I propose Team BHP and BHPians spear head a movement including petitioning authorities to take action and curb this dangerous and frustrating menace?

Completely agree! High beam driving and high intensity headlight driving has become a menace which the government is able to do nothing about. Instilling civic sense will take time. We will need private sector, say vehicle manufacturers to run educational initiatives along with their advertisements to create awareness on high beam driving.

As to my part, I pledge to drive responsibly. Being a lawyer myself, I have written a letter to the Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Minister for Law and Justice, bringing to their attention this issue. Also highlighted is a proposed solution against sale and installation of aftermarket headlamps above certain intensity. This is illegal under the extant regulations anyway, but no one enforces this - so my letter proposes to shift the burden to manufacturers and sellers / installers of the headlights, so that at least we can attempt to being enforcing the stipulation in the law.

The extract of the letter is below. Any reader who felt compelled to do something about this issue can use the draft below (with appropriate changes) to write to the ministry so that constructive action is taken on this matter and our roads become safer.

Extract of my email sent on 19 Feb 2025 to Minister for Road Transport and Highways + Minister for Law and Justice is below:

Subject: Proposal for Amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act to (1) Regulate Aftermarket HID Kits and (2) Curb High Beam Driving on Indian Roads

To:
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal
Hon’ble Minister of Law and Justice,
Government of India
Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice
Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001
Email: arjunrammeghwal@gmail.com; ar.meghwal@sansad.nic.in

Cc:
Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari
Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways,
Government of India
Transport Bhawan, 1 Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110001
Email: minister-morth@nic.in

Respected Sir

I hope this letter finds you well.

I am writing to bring to your attention two growing issues that are negatively affecting road safety in India:
1. The illegal sale and installation of high-intensity aftermarket headlights, which bypass existing regulations on light intensity and beam direction.
2. The general misuse of high-beam headlights, due to a lack of awareness, which causes blinding glare and poses a serious risk to oncoming traffic.

Both these issues contribute significantly to the number of night time road accidents in India. As a concerned citizen, I believe legislative amendments to (1) strictly regulate sale and installation of high-beam headlights, aftermarket HID kits, and LED lights, along with (2) robust public awareness initiatives on use of high-beam headlights are urgently required to mitigate the proliferation of illegal headlights and enhance enforcement measures.

There have been discussions on this subject in Parliament, such as under unstarred question no. 2609, answered on 16th March 2023, which raised the issue of road accidents caused by blinding headlights. Although the question highlighted the ineffectiveness of enforcement in controlling aftermarket sales of illegal lighting accessories and called for stricter regulations and better enforcement, no effective steps or subsequent action has been taken on this subject.

Impact of Illegal Aftermarket Headlights and High-beam driving on Road Safety

India has seen a significant increase in road accidents, especially at night, due to the improper use of high-beam headlights and illegal aftermarket modifications. Studies have shown that high-beam driving and blinding glare from illegally fitted high-intensity discharge (HID) and LED lights have become a primary cause of night time road accidents.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, high-beam driving has been attributed to over 25-30% of accidents occurring at night. These statistics highlight the need for stricter enforcement of lighting regulations and curbing the sale and installation of illegal headlight accessories.

The plight of the drivers while driving at night due to the high beam menace has been recorded since 2007 in various threads of Team-BHP – please see below:
1. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ve-change.html (High beams - Indian cities horrible to drive in. Can we drive change?)
2. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...high-beam.html (Say NO to HIGH-BEAM)
3. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ian-roads.html (The High Beam Menace on Indian Roads)
4. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...-vehicles.html (On the blinding headlights of new vehicles)

Aftermarket Headlamp Violations: Non-Compliance with Rule 106 and AIS-010

The Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), Rule 106, mandates the use of headlamps that comply with directional and beam intensity specifications. Read in conjunction with AIS-010, the rule sets standards for beam alignment, light direction, and maximum luminous intensity. These provisions ensure that headlamps focus light on the road without causing glare to oncoming drivers, a critical factor in road safety.

Despite stipulation of these standards, there is flagrant violation and enforcement remains a major challenge, leading to the uncontrolled proliferation of high-beam headlights, aftermarket HID kits, and LED lights. Aftermarket headlight installations, have flooded the market in India and easily available on e-commerce websites such as amazon.in and flipkart.com. Please see attached Annexure 1 containing examples of HID kits, and LED lights available on amazon.com, many of which do not meet the stipulations under the applicable Indian regulations. These lights, often emitting a luminous intensity above 80,000 cd, exceeding 5000K in colour temperature and 45W or more in power wattage, are non-compliant with the Indian regulations and are detrimental to road safety.

Apart from exceeding permissible intensity, their installation from local garages mean that the beam direction requirements are not met and violative of AIS-010 and Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Furthermore, aftermarket modifications do not undergo the type approval process required under AIS-010, which tests headlamp performance under various conditions to ensure compliance with the beam pattern, intensity, and alignment standards. As a result, these non-compliant installations are not only unsafe but also illegal ab initio under Rule 106 and should be prohibited in their entirety to maintain road safety. Please see - https://www.dnaindia.com/automobile/...-said-3004059/

Proposed Solution to Shift Enforcement to Manufacturers and Service Centers

Today, enforcement of headlight regulations rests with the state traffic police, which face several practical challenges, including:
1. High vehicle-to-police ratio, making it difficult to identify violations (like finding a needle in a haystack!).
2. Lack of lux meters (devices for measuring light intensity) in most states, leading to vehicles with illegal, high-intensity headlights escaping fines.
3. Low fines, allowing violators to continue using their illegal headlights even after being penalized.

To address these challenges, I propose a low-hanging solution: transferring the enforcement responsibility for headlight regulations to vehicle manufacturers and their authorized service centers. This can be achieved by:
a. Banning the sale of HID kits, LED bulbs, and lights above specific metrics, such as exceeding 45W or emitting a luminous intensity above 80,000 cd.
b. Banning aftermarket changes to headlamps by car owners or private garages. Any modifications or repairs to headlights should only be allowed at authorized service centers of the vehicle manufacturers, who must install only type approval certified headlights.
c. Authorizing service centers to certify compliance with the standards set under AIS-010 and Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules after modifying or repairing headlights.
d. Mandating records: Authorized service centers should maintain a detailed record of all vehicles whose headlights have been modified or repaired, including:
i. Date of service,
ii. Vehicle registration number,
iii. Owner's license details, and
iv. Specifications of the headlight repaired or installed.
e. In cases where modifications or repairs are not compliant with AIS-010 or Rule 106, heavy fines should be imposed on both the service center and the vehicle manufacturer. If car owners bypass this process and modify or repair headlights on their own or through private garages, they should face similar fines.

Enforcement Benefits:

This solution is practical and allows for effective enforcement by:
1. Reducing the burden on traffic police, who currently lack the resources and tools to monitor headlight compliance.
2. Ensuring compliance at the source, where headlights are modified or repaired, under the supervision of qualified professionals.
3. Encouraging vehicle manufacturers to ensure that only compliant lights are installed, as they will be held accountable for non-compliance.

+ Public Awareness and Education Campaigns

To tackle the general misuse of high beams, I recommend a nationwide public awareness campaign:
• Television and social media campaigns can educate drivers about the dangers of improper high-beam use.
• Collaborations with driving schools and cab driver unions can provide brochures and conduct workshops on responsible headlight usage.
• Car manufacturers should include educational materials on headlight use with new vehicle purchases, and conduct free headlight checks during servicing. Manufacturers should also promote adaptive lighting systems, which automatically adjust headlights based on road conditions.

Proposed Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989

1. Amendment to Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act (Penalties for Offenses):

Add subsection (3):

(3) Any person, not authorised under this Act and its rules, found using, installing, or modifying headlights that exceed 45W or produce more than 80,000 cd of luminous intensity, or otherwise fail to comply with AIS-010 and Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, shall be fined an amount not exceeding INR 50,000 for the first offense and INR 1,00,000 for subsequent offenses. In cases of repeated violations, the vehicle may be impounded, and the driver's license suspended for a period not exceeding six months.

2. New Rule 106B - Regulation of Aftermarket Headlights under CMVR:

Rule 106B (1) - Ban on Aftermarket Headlight Modifications:

(1) No person, garage, or private entity shall manufacture, sell, or install any aftermarket headlights, bulbs, or lighting kits that exceed the limits of 45W in wattage or 80,000 cd in luminous intensity, or deviate from the AIS-010 standards for headlamp performance.

Rule 106B (2) - Authorized Modifications Only at Manufacturer’s Service Centers:

(2) All headlamp modifications or repairs which exceed the limits of 45W in wattage or 80,000 cd in luminous intensity, including the installation of replacement bulbs or lighting kits, shall be performed exclusively by authorized service centers of vehicle manufacturers.
These authorized service centers shall:
• Certify that all modifications or repairs comply with AIS-010 standards and Rule 106 of the CMVR.
• Maintain a register of all headlamp modifications and repairs, including the following information:
- Date of modification or repair.
- Vehicle registration number.
- Owner’s license number and contact information.
- Specifications of the modified or repaired headlamps, including wattage, luminous intensity, and color temperature.
The register shall be open for inspection by Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), traffic police, and any other authorized personnel under the Motor Vehicles Act. Records shall be retained for a period of five years from the date of modification.

Rule 106B (3) - Ban on Unauthorized Repairs and Heavy Fines :

(3) Any modification or repair of headlamps which exceed the limits of 45W in wattage or 80,000 cd in luminous intensity outside authorized service centers shall be prohibited. Vehicle owners who modify or repair such headlights at private garages or through unauthorized means shall be liable for penalties, including:
• A fine not exceeding INR 1,00,000 for the first offense.
• Vehicle impoundment and license suspension for repeated offenses.
• Any authorized service center found certifying modifications that do not comply with AIS-010 or Rule 106 shall face:
- A fine not exceeding INR 1,00,000.
- Suspension of operating licenses for a period not exceeding six months for repeat offenses.

Rule 106B (4) - Ban on Sale of Non-Compliant Aftermarket Lighting Products:

(4) The sale of HID kits, LED bulbs, or other lighting systems exceeding 5000K in color temperature or 45W in power output, whether through physical stores or online platforms, shall be prohibited.
Any retailer or seller found in violation shall face:
• A fine not exceeding INR 1,00,000; and
• Suspension of their business license for repeated violations.

3. Amendment to Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (Headlamp Regulations):

(1) Vehicle headlamps, after installation or modification, must comply with the directional and luminous intensity standards prescribed under AIS-010. Any modification to the factory-installed headlamps must be done by authorized service centers, with certification of compliance.
(2) Any headlamps installed that exceed the wattage or luminous intensity limits set under AIS-010 or fail to meet the requirements under Rule 106 will be considered non-compliant, and the vehicle owner will be liable for penalties under Section 177(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I urge you to consider these legislative amendments and solutions to address the issue of illegal headlights and high-beam misuse. Such measures will enhance road safety and ensure compliance with the AIS-010 standards. Furthermore, launching a robust public awareness campaign and engaging automobile manufacturers to help educate drivers on responsible headlight use will have a lasting impact on road safety in India.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

[ais]

Originally Posted by Communist

Completely agree! I have written a letter to the Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Minister for Law and Justice, bringing to their attention this issue.

In this letter, and perhaps this thread, a few facts seem missing. Road conditions to begin with. I use high intensity LEDs (upgrading to 125W from 75W), not because I want to blind other drivers, but because I want to see the hazzards on the road (which in turn is mostly a hazzard by itself too).

I was in Thailand last year, and noticed the headlights of vehicles there were as dim as our parking lights! I also noticed that roads were immaculate. People followed traffic rules. Pedestrians had enough sense not to jaywalk while talking on mobiles.

Another issue we seem to have missed is driving without any light on! There is a law that mandates switching on headlights after sunset till sunrise during twilight. It's not just to see, but to be seen by other drivers as well. However, lot of taxi and autorickshaw in Mumbai, and private cars as well in Delhi (don't know about other cities) drive with no lights on, not even parking lights. I've got 1 taxi challaned for this at BKC.

Further, 4300k temperature should be the maximum limit. This illuminates everything from road surfaces to reflective strips and signboards better than higher temperature colours. Also the glare is less blinding, if at all. I never seem to get a response from oncoming high beamers when I use my dipper! Further, I regularly see that when there is a bright white high beam on in vehicles ahead or behind me, when I flick my high beam on everything becomes way better illuminated.

Finally, more than the brightness and colour of the headlights, it's the alignment and then the sensible usage that matters. Just because we have next to no driver training program and any Tom, Dick, Harry can get on the roads doesn't mean we legislate Rs.100000/- fines without addressing the basic underlying issues first.

So before any changes to rules around headlights, elementary and implemetable rules and road conditions must be looked into.

In places like Chandigarh where drivers are by and large educated and implementation of rules is good as are the roads, I'd advocate high fines (which are also levied regularly). In the Tricity there is a craze to show off bright headlights, which must be curbed.

[Communist]

Sir, the idea with my letter is to propose a low threshold solution, reasonably acceptable to all stakeholders. An ideal solution, while 'ideal', has not come about in the last many years of discourse but discussion on actionable solutions should begin at some point.

As to your suggestion that "4300k temperature should be the maximum limit", would strongly urge you to write to the ministries with your rationale. This will be a constructive step towards bringing about a change.

You also mention that you "use high intensity LEDs (upgrading to 125W from 75W)", because you want to see hazards on the road. The proposed solution in my letter is for any high intensity installations to be done only by manufacturers / their authorised service centres so that it: (1) is installed properly, with proper beam alignment; (2) undergoes "Type Approval", (3) conforms with other specific installation related regulations laid down Rule 106 and AIS-010. If this is not regulated, any Tom, Dick, Harry will get such high 100W / 125W / 150W high intensity lights installed and cause menace. The proposed fines are also primarily meant for manufacturers / their authorised service centres for this reason. Anything above 60W is anyway not road legal - see Rule 138(5) of Central Motor Vehicles Rule 1989 - "Halogen bulbs with P45t cap shall not be used for headlights on all vehicles. Wattage of halogen bulbs shall not exceed 70/75 watts for 24 volts and 60/65 for 12 volts systems.]". This is being enforced (albeit occasionally) - https://www.deccanherald.com/india/k...lights-3099220

The reason these are called standards is because they should be standard for all persons driving. Anyone having special requirements that he cannot see without standard headlights should drive slower or be off the roads, with all due respect. One cannot be allowed to pick high intensity lights of his choice, install it in a manner he thinks appropriate and cause havoc for rest of the law abiding citizen. That would not be ethical and compromises road safety generally.

[ais]

Originally Posted by Communist

That would not be ethical and compromises road safety generally.

True. But let's start with first things first. I would have no issues using 55W Halogens if the roads allow- I've explained the situation I saw in Thailand, and in other countries as well. I have no particular interest in spending 40 times the cost of halogen bulbs that are way more reliable and durable, besides depleting the battery etc.

As for the government, as you will likely notice, they will not bother unless they have some connected interest. They don't even drive their own vehicles and couldn't care less- that's why we are in this situation. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to make changes. I'm saying the ground reality must be borne in mind.

I don't have any special requirements. We all need to see hazzards, and most OEM bulbs fail us there. The LEDs are aligned perfectly, so I'm not compromising anyone's safety- only enhancing it!