High beam for a High Beam makes both drivers Blind | A common driving mistake that has been often overlooked

 The office got over you're returning home at night and while you are driving, a high blinding beam of light hits you in the eye. All of a sudden a blackout and the next thing you know is you are lying in ER of a hospital. You try to recall what happened and all you remember is the flash of light.

I know many of you are struggling right now to get my point. I'm talking about the light from vehicle's headlamp. I hope you all know there are two basic light intensity settings for headlamp which are to be used in different light conditions:

1. Low beam(dipper)

When area surrounding your vehicle has plenty of light coming from different sources. The light sources can be:

▪ Streetlights 

▪ Lights outside shops, houses etc.

▪ Lights from the oncoming traffic and many more.

Under these conditions the driver should and must use low beam intensity. Firstly due the above sources the visibility already above 200 meters and secondly it may distort the vision of other drivers or pedestrians at night.

2. High beam

The high beams are generally used to provide a clear view to the drivers when there is no               immediate source of lights present in vicinity of the vehicle and the traffic is very scarce.

Ideally it should be used in highways and far stretch of roads/paths without any light. This high beam light facilitates the driver to have a clear view for a considerable stretch of road and it provides more reaction time for the drivers travelling at high speeds.

Are high beams dangerous?

 

High beam lights are a provision for the vehicle but when used in an inappropriate condition, are fatal and dangerous. According to data provided by ministry of Roads around 39% of fatal road accidents took place between 6pm to 6am. Around these times in most of places the traffic are relatively less. A share of accidents might have due the high beam lights. I believe most of us have had experienced obstruction in vision while driving at night because of the light from oncoming vehicle. But we lack concrete evidence and data to link it with high beam lights and the frequency at which accidents took and are still taking place. 

It is a fact, Glares from high beam cause temporary blindness and disturbs the vision of oncoming traffics as well the pedestrians. And this short blip of time can be the reason for a fatal traffic clash. 

Source: Save life foundation

The ground scenario

The assessment of scenario at street level reveals sheer lack of awareness about the use of dipper at night time. 

Most of the motorists on the road continuously use high beam light throughout their journey despite varying light conditions. In a report published in The Times of India when the journalist asked them why they do so they simply made an excuse saying it makes them see better while driving. While some say they have been using dipped light but their dashboard indicator say otherwise. When asked , "what the blue indicator signify" to which they replied, "they don't know". This seems funny right, yet this ignorance could be extremely dangerous. A question also arises that when there is ample streetlamps to provide light then what is the dire need to use high beams. They not only put themselves in harms way but also the pedestrians walking the road and the oncoming drivers. 

Actually lack of these information points to the lack of proper driving schools. It is fact that most of the drivers never visit a proper driving school either they learn it from other drivers or they do it via trial and error method. Also the basic driving schools which we come across only teach us how to drive, they don't teach us the ethics of safe driving. Therefore, some basic rules are to be learnt by oneself and also disseminate the same to others.

Source: driving-tests.org

High beams - Legal or illegal?

While some of us know that using high beam light within city limits is illegal. Some people replace the original factory installed lights with high power bright led lights. Also some add various type of additional lights on front bumper. All these are illegal and attracts penalty/fine. I bet most of you had no idea about it being illegal. Sadly like us the law enforcers too has no idea about it. Pity no one would be stopped and fined for using high beams.

Source: The Times of India

Advice for everyone

The problem addressed here is like any other social problem and the change should come from us. No one is going to do anything, we have to take stand ourselves. Do not hesitate to educate drivers or anyone one about the headlamp beam and its use in different conditions. Actively make your cab drivers and drivers aware of these minute but important information.

Always feel free to educate someone about the headlamp's light beams. It is a small step but a leap for road safety. The change is not going to happen in an instant but would happen gradually.

So, the next you drive remember these little things about the high beams and dipper. Use them accordingly and drive safely. 

Do you know someone who drives with high beams on at night? Share this writing with them or at least make them aware of the dangers.

 Happy and Safe Driving!