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High beam headlights a major cause of road accidents

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 4/17/2018 10:30:55 AM

Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Apr 16
Whenever we think of driving at night either on city roads or on highways the first thing comes into mind is about riding safely. Notwithstanding the fact that it’s not only the traffic chaos which causes accident at night but high beam lights are also playing a major factor that disrupts the driver coming from opposite direction.
The high beam lights from the opposite direction are sometimes so bright that the driver of other vehicle becomes blind for couple of seconds which in most of cases lead to accident especially on the roads that have two lanes or without divider.
The high beam menace goes unchecked and not only be seen in city roads but also on highways. As there is lack of proper reflectors on roads to indicate medians and turnings, the drivers use high beams to see the road clearly unaware of the fact about its impact on the other vehicle.
With the lack of awareness about the road safety among people, the headlight menace is becoming a threat for safe driving at nights. Not many car owners seem to be avoiding to adopt the practice of blacking the eye of the beam as they are expected to reduce the intensity of the beam but two wheelers are also unaware how and when high beams lights are used.
It is worthwhile to mention here that low beams let you see about 200 feet ahead. It can take about 200 feet to stop when you drive at 30 mph. That is almost half a city block in length. If you cannot see 200 feet ahead, you may not be driving safely at 30 mph. By the time you see an object in your path, it may be too late to stop without hitting it.
High-beam lights blind drivers for a couple of seconds according to traffic rules, high-intensity lights should be used only when other vehicles are at least 500 feet away and when no other traffic would be affected.
A per the driving norms one can use high beams outside cities and in rural areas, as long as there are no other vehicles around. Dim your lights when there are oncoming vehicles, or when you are approaching another vehicle from behind.
Talking to Young Bites Correspondent Sidhart Sharma said that it not only the high beam lights are putting lives at risk but the fitting of use of more powerful extra lights in new the new generation cars has added to the problem. The cause of concern is that many vehicle owners do not follow the practice of blacking the beam to reduce its intensity. Headlights should be on low beam when following another vehicle, and they should be properly focused to avoid accidents said Sidharth Sharma.
Glare can be avoided by watching the left edge of the road. Headlights should be aimed properly to help others to view the road.