Will the vehicles hit ‘bull’s eye?’

Road accidents due to use of high-beam lights are on the rise. Car owners and drivers are advised to partially black-out the headlights to avoid most of the accidents

The roads are filled with idiots, and their number is rising alarmingly. These are everyday commuters who have literally no sense of lanes and parking, above all they do not know when to use a high-beam.

Only to testify, Sagairaj, a sales executive, crashed his motor-cycle into a pushcart at Marredpally. He said he was blinded for a few seconds by an approaching car on high beam in the opposite direction. Fortunately, Sagairaj escaped but his vehicle was damaged.

In today’s scenario, it has a challenge for a sane guy to drive a vehicle while the rest of the idiots drive on a high beam on the roads.

Transport officials say that most motorists are not aware of the fact that dazzling lights and headlights on high-beam are a major cause of accidents. Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) insists on deflection of lights i.e., dim and bright (low beam and high beam). Earlier, a motorist could be booked for not having painted their headlights with a black spot in the centre portion, but now a thin black strip on the upper part of the head lamps, is all what is called for.

“People do not know the importance of these black strips on head lights. In most cases, they confuse them with advertisement of a service centre. Many would have noticed this particular strip, and let me tell you, these can save lives, for at least the ones coming from the other end,” shares Col. (Redt) S Shantaram, owner, Sai Chandra Motors, Neredmet.

Padmanabhan, a bank employee, shares, "Motorists, mainly car and two-wheeler drivers, replace in-built headlights with dazzling ones just because it's fashionable. These are known by a variety of names like Angel Eyes, Projector Lamps, et al. The RTA does not approve of these, and moreover these highly illuminated lights kill the vision of the guy coming from the opposite direction. All he can see is two big lights.”

“Due to high beams, crossing roads is a nightmare for pedestrians too, especially the elderly. I request the authorities to ensure that motorists use black paint or stickers on headlights,” said Venu Gopala Rao from Nagole.

Amit Garg, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, has come up with a drive to ensure that the commuters fall in place with the rule book. He said, “The accidents due to high beam are usually on the outskirts of the city and at Outer Ring Road. It is because the streets are semi-dark or completely dark. In the city, the accidents due to the beam are comparatively less. I have come up with a drive recently. I have asked the garages to fix half shade to the beams. I have also sent notices to the manufacturers and second hand dealers to do the same. Gradually I will take the help from petrol pumps as well. Once, these are implemented, I will analyse and act accordingly.”

Venkateshwar, Joint Commissioner, RTA, said, “For the past few years, the beams on vehicles are designed suitably, and keeping in mind the convenience of other drivers. In some cases, the power of the light is an issue. The manufacturers are fixing the light properly but the drivers are changing the lights later.

They are using powerful lights which are unauthorised. It is always advisable for the people to use low beam even though high beams are more comfortable to see the potholes on the roads.”