High Beams Put People’s Lives at Risk

Hyderabad: The streets of Hyderabad are increasingly becoming increasingly dangerous at night due to the rampant use of high beams by motorists, a direct consequence of the city’s malfunctioning streetlights.

Residents of Sitaphalmandi, Goshamahal, Ashoknagar, Falaknuma, Gowliguda, Padmarao Nagar, Kompally, Sanathnagar and several other areas have been grappling with dimly lit or entirely dark streets, leading to unsafe conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. This darkness on the roads forces drivers to switch to high beams, inadvertently creating another hazard.

Motorists frequently report difficulties navigating through poorly illuminated roads. “Driving at night has become a nightmare,” said Siripuram Vishnu, a resident of Kukatpally.

“Either you’re driving in total darkness or you’re blinded by oncoming high beams. It’s like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.” Such scenarios have led to an alarming rise in complaints about the glaring lights, which can temporarily blind oncoming drivers, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Dr Anjali Rao, an ophthalmologist, highlighted the dangers of high beam usage. “Prolonged exposure to high beams can cause temporary blindness and disorientation, both of which are hazardous for drivers. The glare diminishes depth perception and reaction time, elevating accident risks”, she said.

“Even a few seconds of blindness caused by glare can be catastrophic while driving. For individuals with pre-existing eye conditions, the impact is even more severe,” she added.

Ravindra, a traffic inspector, said the issue is further compounded by the lack of awareness among drivers regarding proper headlight usage. “Many motorists are unaware of when and how to use high beams. They turn it on and drive on the roads, but do not understand how to operate them”, he said.

He further added, "Sometimes, drivers intentionally put on high beams even when the road is illuminated properly. It's not clear why they do it, but it is very dangerous for others."

Raman Goyal, a resident of Koti, said, "In September, I met with an accident because of high beams. Some car was driving with full beams, and my vision got blinded. I couldn't see a speed breaker, and I fell down."

The Highway Safety Code outlined by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) states -

1. Always dip your headlights when approaching another vehicle, as high beams can blind the oncoming driver, potentially causing a collision.

2. 2) Keep headlights on low beam when following another vehicle to avoid glare through their rear-view mirror.

3. When overtaking, use low-beam lights. If oncoming vehicles remain on high beams, blink your headlights as a signal. Do not retaliate with high beams if they fail to lower their lights.

Under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, anyone using a high beam light amid vehicles in the city will attract a fine of `500. But traffic police almost never penalise drivers for using high beams. When asked about why, a traffic inspector requesting anonymity, said “We never look at whether a driver is using high beams or not.”

Advanced technological solutions could offer respite from this glaring issue. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s ILIM laboratory have developed anti-glare headlights, which minimise glare while maintaining visibility. Such innovations could revolutionise night driving safety if implemented widely.

Residents have voiced their frustrations repeatedly to GHMC, but the problem persists. Shiva Kumar, a Kachiguda resident, lamented, “The streetlights never work. Even after repairs, they fail within days.” The absence of adequate lighting not only endangers lives but also amplifies the high beam problem, turning Hyderabad’s roads into minefields at night.