Glare of Negligence: Rampant high-beam misuse endangers lives on Srinagar’s roads

The unchecked use of high-beam headlights during evening and night hours has emerged as a serious road safety hazard in Srinagar, with an increasing number of motorists flouting traffic norms and putting lives at risk. Despite clear regulations restricting their use within city limits, lax enforcement and low public awareness have allowed the problem to grow into a citywide menace.
Designed for highways and poorly lit areas, high-beam headlights can illuminate distances of over 100 metres. But within city areas, where street lighting is largely functional, their use is not just unnecessary — it is dangerous. The harsh glare temporarily blinds oncoming drivers, disrupts the vision of motorists ahead, and significantly increases the risk of accidents by impairing depth perception and reaction times.
“We do penalise violators when caught, but consistent night-time monitoring is a challenge due to limited resources,” said SSP Traffic Srinagar Muzaffar Ahmed Shah. “We are also stepping up public awareness efforts through city-wide drives and digital campaigns, especially on social media. However, real change can only come through responsible driving behaviour. Without public cooperation, no amount of policing will suffice.”
“This has become a daily ordeal,” said Yawar Bhat, a resident of Nowgam. “Every night, I struggle to see the road clearly because of high-beam lights from oncoming traffic. It’s like staring directly into a camera flash.”
Two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable to the blinding glare. “For a few seconds, everything vanishes from view — and that’s all it takes for a crash,” said Yasir Ahmad, a resident of Eidgah.
Similar concerns are echoed by commuters across the city. “People seem to have forgotten the basics of road etiquette,” said Bilal Lone, a regular commuter from Bemina. “A simple dip of headlights could prevent accidents. But it feels like drivers are competing to outshine each other — at the cost of safety.”
Even polite gestures to signal drivers to dip their lights often go unheeded. “It’s like everyone thinks they’re on a highway, even in the middle of the city,” said Hafsa Rather, a daily commuter.
For elderly drivers and those with vision impairments, the problem is even more severe. “I already have weak eyesight,” said Bilal Sofi, a 54-year-old resident of Batamaloo. “The glare makes it nearly impossible to drive at night. For a moment, the road just disappears — and that’s when disaster can strike.”
Exacerbating the issue is the widespread use of aftermarket modifications, including powerful LED and HID lights that often exceed legal wattage limits. While regulations cap headlamp bulbs at 7 watts, many vehicles in Srinagar sport illegally installed lights that flood roads with excessive glare.
Under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the use of high-beam headlights within urban limits is prohibited. First-time offenders face a fine of ₹500, rising to ₹1,000 for repeat violations. Additionally, Section 31(4) of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017 mandates that drivers must dip headlights when approaching or following another vehicle. Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules further requires vehicles to be equipped with both high and low-beam settings and to switch to low beams within 200 feet of other vehicles. Yet, enforcement remains sporadic at best.
As authorities continue to ramp up both awareness and enforcement, the onus ultimately lies with motorists to drive responsibly. Until drivers recognise the risks posed by high-beam misuse and commit to safer practices, the glare of negligence will continue to endanger lives on Srinagar’s roads.