India proposes new headlight rules to reduce nighttime glare

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed new regulations for vehicle headlights in India to reduce glare and improve nighttime road safety. The draft rules aim to address the issue of oncoming high-beam lights blinding drivers, which can lead to accidents.

Key proposals include requiring automatic headlights on new two-wheelers to default to low beam. For two-wheelers, the maximum permitted headlight intensity may be reduced from 1.5 lakh candela to 1 lakh candela, while for cars, the limit is proposed to drop from 2.25 lakh candela to 1.5 lakh candela. The government is also considering caps on headlight color temperature.

Additionally, the proposal suggests an audio alert system for vehicles traveling under 60 km/h if the driver uses high beams unnecessarily. These measures would not apply to vehicles traveling on highways at speeds exceeding 60 km/h. The new rules are expected to target new vehicle models, leaving existing vehicles under current standards. MoRTH is currently seeking suggestions and objections, with a potential implementation date as early as April next year.