Low Beam By Default: Centre Moves To Tighten Headlight Norms From April
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
New vehicles in India could soon have stricter headlamp rules, with the Centre proposing that automatic headlamps on new two-wheelers operate only in passing-beam (low-beam) mode from next April. The move is aimed at reducing glare and improving visibility for motorists, particularly on urban roads where high-beam lights can temporarily impair the vision of oncoming drivers.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed the changes through draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The proposed norms also include lower permissible headlamp intensity for vehicles and mandatory use of genuine reflective tapes on buses and other heavy vehicles to improve their visibility at night and during poor weather.
Automatic headlamps to remain on low beam
Under the existing Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) system, the headlamp can switch between low and high beam depending on the vehicle’s settings.
The proposed rules would require the automatic system to keep the headlamp in low-beam mode when activated. The ministry is bringing in the change after efforts to encourage motorists to use low beam appropriately have failed to produce the desired results.
High-beam use in urban areas has become a major road-safety concern, as intense light from an approaching vehicle can temporarily blind motorists travelling in the opposite direction.
Permissible headlamp intensity to be reduced
The draft amendments also propose tighter limits on the intensity of headlamps.
For two-wheelers, the maximum permissible intensity of high-intensity headlamps would be reduced from 1.5 lakh candela (cd) to 1 lakh cd.
For four-wheelers, including cars, the proposed limit would fall from 2.25 lakh cd to 1.5 lakh cd.
Candela is the standard unit used to measure luminous intensity.
The government has also proposed restricting the maximum colour temperature of headlamps and front fog lamps to 6,500 Kelvin. Studies cited in the proposal indicate that white light with higher colour temperatures can produce significant glare, causing discomfort and reducing visibility for other road users.
New rules proposed for high-beam use
The draft also proposes that the mounting height of main-beam headlamps be brought in line with the prescribed height for passing-beam headlamps.
In addition, the new-generation headlamp system is expected to feature an audio alert to discourage unnecessary use of high beam on city roads.
If a driver manually switches to high beam under urban driving conditions, the vehicle could issue a warning prompting them to return to low beam.
The alert, however, would be speed-sensitive. Drivers travelling above 60 kmph on highways would not receive the warning, as high-beam use may be necessary on poorly illuminated stretches.
Reflective tapes for buses and heavy vehicles
The proposed amendments also seek to make genuine reflective tapes mandatory on buses and other heavy vehicles.
The measure is intended to make large vehicles more visible to other motorists at night and during fog, rain and other conditions that reduce visibility.
The proposed headlamp and visibility measures are part of the Centre’s broader effort to address glare and improve road safety, particularly during night-time driving.
