Let there be (no bright LED) light: Karnataka Police cracks whip on violators

Bengaluru: In a significant move to enhance road safety, the Karnataka Police have launched a state-wide crackdown on vehicles using high-beam LED headlights.

The drive, initiated to curb the menace of blinding headlights, has resulted in over 8,000 challans being issued within a week.

Bengaluru leads the list with more than 3,000 violations, followed by Mysuru with 381 cases.

Why high-beam LED headlights are dangerous

High-beam white LED headlights pose a serious threat to road safety. Their excessive brightness can momentarily blind oncoming drivers, reducing their ability to see obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles. This momentary blindness increases the risk of accidents, especially on busy and unpredictable Indian roads.

Additionally, high beams create glare on wet roads and reflective surfaces, further impairing visibility. In most driving situations, low-beam headlights provide sufficient illumination without endangering others.

High beams should only be used on dark, open roads with minimal traffic. For city driving, where streetlights provide adequate lighting, drivers are advised to switch to low beams to ensure safer road conditions.

Authorities take action against violators

To curb this growing issue, Karnataka’s traffic police have intensified enforcement. From July, a special drive will be conducted to penalize vehicle owners using illegal high-intensity aftermarket LED headlights. Offenders will be booked under the Indian Motor Vehicles (IMV) Act.

A circular issued by Additional Director General of Police (Traffic & Road Safety) Alok Kumar emphasizes the need for vehicles to comply with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

Standard headlights, as specified in these rules, ensure visibility without compromising the safety of other road users.

The move follows numerous public complaints and an increase in accidents linked to high-beam LED lights.

The legal perspective

While specific permissible headlight specifications have not been explicitly listed by the police, the Central Motor Vehicles Act provides guidance.

According to Section 106 of the Act, headlights must be designed and installed to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. The rule mandates that:

• The beam must be permanently deflected downwards to avoid blinding others.
• Headlights should be capable of being adjusted downward by the driver.
• A mechanism should be in place to turn off high beams when unnecessary.
• Halogen bulbs with P45T caps should not be used.
• The wattage must not exceed 70/75 watts for 24-volt systems and 60/65 watts for 12-volt systems.

Raising awareness and encouraging responsible driving

Traffic experts welcome the crackdown but urge authorities to also regulate the sale of illegal LED headlights. Unauthorized aftermarket modifications with excessively bright LED lights have become common, especially in trucks and buses, causing severe problems for other road users.

A Bengaluru-based lighting specialist states that standard LED lamps fall well below the prescribed 9,000 lumens limit.

According to a local vendor, warm LED lights up to 110 watts are considered acceptable, whereas white LED lights are the main source of disturbance for drivers.

Be a responsible driver

While law enforcement plays a crucial role in ensuring safer roads, every driver must act responsibly. The Karnataka Police’s initiative is a reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility.

Simple measures like using low beams in city areas and switching to high beams only when necessary can prevent accidents and make roads safer for everyone.

As the crackdown continues, motorists are urged to comply with legal headlight standards and contribute to a safer driving environment. Let’s drive responsibly and make Karnataka’s roads safer for all.