Bright vehicle lights a drivers' nuisance; high-beam preferred for better view

Hyderabad: One of the foremost issues troubling drivers at night, apart from poor street lights and potholes, is the use of high beam headlights especially by cars and trucks. An earlier rule insisting that the top half of the headlight be covered or coated black is ignored now.

Though drivers have the option of using low beam lights, many prefer high beams so as to get a better view of the road and obstacles. Mr. Guru Prasad Murthi, resident of Barkatpura and a frequent interstate traveller, said, “High beam is advisable for highways and not city roads.

When the headlights are customised with HID, projector and halogen bulbs, this becomes a nuisance. The high beams are disturbing and affect visibility. I slow down to be on the safer side.”

Another motorist, Mr Ansh Malthotra, said, “high beams, with their sharp rays are not only blinding and harmful for the eyes but are also a major cause for accidents. Such lights are used by buses, trucks and other vehicles, with least concern for lighter vehicles like bikes.”

Deputy commissioner of police, traffic, A.V. Ranganath explained, “The rule of covering half of the headlight was in vogue 15-20 years back. Drivers have to learn the purpose of divergent and convergent lights. For highways always use a long beam (divergent) and convergent on city roads. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. Even in two wheelers this facility is provided.’’