Sir,

Headlights, why do we use them? To increase our visibility to other drivers and avoid hazards, it’s important to switch headlights according to the weather and the time of day while being mindful of other drivers.

High beam headlights give bright and long-range illumination. Using high beams within the city limits can cause split second blindness, leading to accidents. It affects the vision of the driver in the oncoming vehicle as well as the person driving ahead of you as it reflects in their rear-view mirror.

And in a city like Mysuru where there is very minimal traffic, these high beams can reach longer distances. The Traffic cops did make it a point to fine vehicles using high beams within the city limits, but it has not made any difference.

The headlight hazard continues within the city limits, and this becomes more hazardous when it’s raining.

Although there was awareness created by sign-boards along the pavements about the dangerous high beam headlights, people seem to be ignorant on this simple logic and almost every vehicle uses high beam headlights in the city.  It is high time the cops swing into action, apart from only checking for helmets of the pillion rider; before these headlights create more havoc and consume more lives in the name of accidents.

– Prerana, Mysuru, 19.8.2017

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