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Automobile Desk: The Central Government is going to take strict steps to curb accidents caused due to high beam of vehicles coming from the front on the roads at night. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is planning major changes in the rules to headlights. Under this proposed draft, important amendments will be made in the standards to brightness, color temperature of vehicle headlights and use of high beam. The ministry has sought suggestions and objections in this regard from the general public and the automobile industry within 30 days. If everything goes as per plan, the new rules may come into effect from April 2027.

Under the new proposal, arrangements will be made to sound an alarm in vehicles if high beam is used at a speed of less than 60 kilometers per hour. Just like a warning bell rings if you do not wear a seatbelt or exceed the speed limit. However, at speeds above 60 kmph (like on national highways or expressways) this alarm system will not work.

Changes to the Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) system for two-wheelers have been suggested. At present, the lights of the two-wheeler come on automatically as soon as the engine starts, but after the implementation of the new rules, the lights will always be on in 'low-beam' mode as soon as the vehicle starts. The driver will have to manually shift it to high beam only when he feels the need. This system will be mandatory only for newly manufactured vehicles, while no changes will be made in the existing system of old vehicles. The government is in constant discussion with vehicle manufacturing companies to implement this new technology so that necessary technical changes can be made at the production level.

It is recommended to set candela limits to control the level and intensity of illumination. It is proposed to reduce the maximum intensity from 1.5 lakh candela to 1 lakh candela for two-wheelers and from 2.25 lakh candela to 1.5 lakh candela for four-wheelers (cars). The headlight color temperature will be limited to a maximum of 6,500 Kelvin to prevent the 'glare effect' caused by extremely bright blue-white light. Eye experts believe that this step will reduce the strain on the eyes of drivers and improve visibility at night. Along with this, it will be made mandatory to install reflective safety tape to increase the visibility of heavy vehicles and buses in fog and darkness.

The traffic police will take a strict stance against drivers who use high beams unnecessarily on the roads. For violating the rules, a fine of Rs 500 can be imposed for the first time and Rs 1,500 for repeated offences. In serious cases or if he causes an accident, the driver's driving license can also be suspended.

Generally, high beams should only be used on extremely dark or isolated roads with no street lights, or on highways with wide dividers. At the same time, the use of high beam in densely populated urban areas, when vehicles are coming from the front and during fog or heavy rain is considered dangerous because the light gets reflected due to this and creates blurring in front of the driver's own eyes.