The High Beam Menace on Indian Roads

P1tBull · 14th November 2007, 15:22

I generally drive around using the low beam most of the time and flash people driving on high beam. Some of them will disregard you and keep running on high beam, in which case I flip to the high beam as well as flip the other driver the bird as I pass by.
The irritating (and dangerous) thing is that some guys who lower the beam will switch back to high beam 3 seconds before the cars pass each other. Three seconds before passing the guy, I am suddenly blinded. Honestly, can't the guy wait an extra couple of seconds before switching back after we've safely crossed each other.

I sometimes feel like putting a row of Hellas, and turning them all on for such inconsiderate drivers.

Venkatesh.C · 14th November 2007, 20:08

You are not alone pal. I even feel that I should get those search lights they used to use in world war 2 to shoot planes at night and mount them with a laser guide that will automatically focus on cars that have high beams on.

vnabhi · 15th November 2007, 13:53

Nice thread. I too have given up to the maniacs with dazzling lights. I feel like fitting a device that can direct my headlight beam directly on the oncoming driver's face, with height control so that buses and trucks are not excluded. Only then these suckers will learn.
Anyone know if such a device is available??

Thad E Ginathom · 15th November 2007, 13:59

But if you blind them back, they may well run into you.

This is a totally can't-win situation

vnabhi · 15th November 2007, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

But if you blind them back, they may well run into you.

This is a totally can't-win situation

No way dude, I will be wide apart. My 'angular' focus will get them however.

RajaTaurus · 15th November 2007, 14:53

I believe we can educate / enforce the low-beam requirement in several ways.
1. Impose spot fine for those using high-beams within city limits.

2. Display stickers "Do not use high beam within city limits" in prominant place like the dashboard of all the cabs and buses.
This may even be enforced by those high profile IT companies through their Logistics department who manage these rental cabbies and bus service providers.

3. Placing Hoardings or display boards at vantage points with animated pictures showing how one driver gets blinded by the other's high beam.

I guess a combination of enforcement and awareness can minimize this menace to a large extent.

Will the concerned take any steps in this direction... (Now please dont ask me who's concerned, I don't have an answer...)

Surprise · 15th November 2007, 15:14

Esp the TATA ACE load auto's. I wonder what's the lights spects given by manf. I doubt whether these guys will spend and upgrade the lights.

Is upgrading the lights and staying at low beams an issue?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RajaTaurus

I am driving from T.Nagar to Pallikaranai and I pass thru Velacheri, Vijayanagaram and this road is packed with all kind of vehciles plying for the IT companies in the IT highway.

Are you employed in CTS? How is the food supplied by SGR Foods?

RajaTaurus · 15th November 2007, 15:21

CTS...???? SGR Foods...???

Well. In fact, I am working in T.Nagar and living in Pallikaranai.. I am working for a Spanish company who are building 100 MLD sea water desalination plant in the North of Chennai and I have my office at T.Nagar.

snaronikar · 16th November 2007, 15:10

Couple of days I almost hit a the divider on airport road. One the morons with high beam in omni did not even bother to use dipper even tough I was continuously flashing my dippers. After passing his car, I yelled at him in local lanuguage @#$%&@#$ to put the head lights into low beam.

Nowadays even 2 wheeler lights are blinding us. These guys do not even bother to put the lights into low beam blinding the on coming traffic.

One more problem which I'am facing and hope others too is the vehicle owners will switch on only one head light with high beam. I do not know what makes them do this . I wondered how does this help them to save power? (in batteries)

. We cannot assume whether the oncoming vehicle is big/huge/small etc etc. Onky thing currently I'am doing with these kind of errant drivers is yell at them.

sumitkalindi · 16th November 2007, 18:05

He he I do follow the High low beam to ritual, even if the opposite guy does not, Have fitted extra lamps foccussing towars left and front so that I can see what's ahead of me without blinding the hi beamer. And sometimes when they get on my nerves, do a little kamakazi, the hi beam from opposite instantly turns to low.
BTW I do think the auto dipper should me made mandatory for manufacturing process, and it is not difficult to intregate it in such a way that tinkering with it will render the unit and the bulb useless. Defeating the roadside mechanics.

msdivy · 16th November 2007, 18:31

High beam from the ultra-high buses are the worst culprit. Some have something like 4 to 6 highlights - all at highbeams. Forget the opposite direction, its blinding even if I am in front of them.

In cities most of the BPO cabs are permanently on high beam. And also when few newbies are driving the cars (slightly better than no lights

). Few Pulsars (sorry no offence, they seem be so many on roads) high beams are also a nuisance.

I regulary follow High2Low dipper on highways. Apart from being a good practise, it keeps me active & involved in the driving.

PS: In cities, I am always on low beam. Only if the road is inadequately lit and the speed is high (above 50Kmph), I switch on the high beam.

CBlazer · 17th November 2007, 01:54

Raja,

Nice topic. Like you mentioned, I've found truck drivers to be more courteous when it comes to dipping. And I've noticed this consistently in the last several years of my highway driving experience. Of late, I've found buses to be the main culprits on highways. They just don't care whether you lower your beam or turn off your lights!

A few years ago, Bangalore traffic police actually starting enforcing the "no high beam in the city" rule. They forced people to switch to parking lights and warned those who drove with high beam. It worked pretty well for a few weeks. One could see a significant difference. Many even started switching off their headlights at the traffic signals. I guess education helps to a large extent. And beyond that it is a matter of whether courtesy figures in a driver's list of priorities.

OT: Is there a thread that discusses the right kind of number plates to use? I heard there was soon going to be a big drive(in Bangalore) to book all those with jazzy plates and funny fonts.

mobike008 · 17th November 2007, 09:56

I feel that majority of indian drivers dont know the concept of high beam and low beam as the driving populace is increasing phenomenally. Traffic regulators should take up the task of teaching ( via, ads, newsprints, hoardings) these guys that low beam is meant for city driving and high beams to be used on highways for better visibility.

In cities, if you dip also, the opposite driver either does not know or chooses to ignore the signal adding to the already increasing road-rage and possible risk of an accident.

God save us all until the driving populace understand the importance of this signal.

Until, then lets swerve and avoid being hit by these nerds

Surprise · 17th November 2007, 11:19

I stay at low beam and when I see an oncoming vehicle with a high beam, I flash the light once. If there is no response, Iam left with only option of switching it too high beam till I cross that vehicle. Feel sorry for the vehicle coming in opp directions as Iam sure it will be very difficult with my upgraded headlamps. Iam trying to restrict this as two wheelers who follows the car were too getting affected because of this

Any one pointed out that in almost every swifts the fog lamps were on everytime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surprise

Is upgrading the lights and staying at low beams an issue?

To add to my earlier query, IS IT A VIOLATION OF MVA

satish_appasani · 17th November 2007, 19:39

Ince i roughed my car against the median because the guy in the opposite lane blinded me. Many people though they dip lights when you did at them, they get back to Hi-beam with in few seconds even before crossing you.

Once an Innove blinded me, i stopped my car in the center of the road, switched on hi-beam and stalled him. i walked to him and asked him to switch off the hi-beam.

14th November 2007, 15:22	#31
P1tBull BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 91 Thanked: 2 Times	I generally drive around using the low beam most of the time and flash people driving on high beam. Some of them will disregard you and keep running on high beam, in which case I flip to the high beam as well as flip the other driver the bird as I pass by. The irritating (and dangerous) thing is that some guys who lower the beam will switch back to high beam 3 seconds before the cars pass each other. Three seconds before passing the guy, I am suddenly blinded. Honestly, can't the guy wait an extra couple of seconds before switching back after we've safely crossed each other. I sometimes feel like putting a row of Hellas, and turning them all on for such inconsiderate drivers.
	() Thanks

14th November 2007, 20:08	#32
Venkatesh.C BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 268 Thanked: 41 Times	You are not alone pal. I even feel that I should get those search lights they used to use in world war 2 to shoot planes at night and mount them with a laser guide that will automatically focus on cars that have high beams on.
	() Thanks

15th November 2007, 13:53	#33
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: DC -> DC Posts: 5,958 Thanked: 2,393 Times View My Garage	Nice thread. I too have given up to the maniacs with dazzling lights. I feel like fitting a device that can direct my headlight beam directly on the oncoming driver's face, with height control so that buses and trucks are not excluded. Only then these suckers will learn. Anyone know if such a device is available??
	() Thanks

15th November 2007, 13:59	#34
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,004 Thanked: 26,438 Times	But if you blind them back, they may well run into you. This is a totally can't-win situation
	() Thanks

15th November 2007, 14:53	#36
RajaTaurus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tenkasi, TN Posts: 1,119 Thanked: 473 Times View My Garage	I believe we can educate / enforce the low-beam requirement in several ways. 1. Impose spot fine for those using high-beams within city limits. 2. Display stickers "Do not use high beam within city limits" in prominant place like the dashboard of all the cabs and buses. This may even be enforced by those high profile IT companies through their Logistics department who manage these rental cabbies and bus service providers. 3. Placing Hoardings or display boards at vantage points with animated pictures showing how one driver gets blinded by the other's high beam. I guess a combination of enforcement and awareness can minimize this menace to a large extent. Will the concerned take any steps in this direction... (Now please dont ask me who's concerned, I don't have an answer...)
	() Thanks

15th November 2007, 15:21	#38
RajaTaurus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tenkasi, TN Posts: 1,119 Thanked: 473 Times View My Garage	CTS...???? SGR Foods...??? Well. In fact, I am working in T.Nagar and living in Pallikaranai.. I am working for a Spanish company who are building 100 MLD sea water desalination plant in the North of Chennai and I have my office at T.Nagar.
	() Thanks

16th November 2007, 15:10	#39
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Couple of days I almost hit a the divider on airport road. One the morons with high beam in omni did not even bother to use dipper even tough I was continuously flashing my dippers. After passing his car, I yelled at him in local lanuguage @#$%&@#$ to put the head lights into low beam. Nowadays even 2 wheeler lights are blinding us. These guys do not even bother to put the lights into low beam blinding the on coming traffic. One more problem which I'am facing and hope others too is the vehicle owners will switch on only one head light with high beam. I do not know what makes them do this . I wondered how does this help them to save power? (in batteries) . We cannot assume whether the oncoming vehicle is big/huge/small etc etc. Onky thing currently I'am doing with these kind of errant drivers is yell at them.
	() Thanks

16th November 2007, 18:05	#40
sumitkalindi BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 376 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	He he I do follow the High low beam to ritual, even if the opposite guy does not, Have fitted extra lamps foccussing towars left and front so that I can see what's ahead of me without blinding the hi beamer. And sometimes when they get on my nerves, do a little kamakazi, the hi beam from opposite instantly turns to low. BTW I do think the auto dipper should me made mandatory for manufacturing process, and it is not difficult to intregate it in such a way that tinkering with it will render the unit and the bulb useless. Defeating the roadside mechanics.
	() Thanks

16th November 2007, 18:31	#41
msdivy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,815 Thanked: 2,826 Times	High beam from the ultra-high buses are the worst culprit. Some have something like 4 to 6 highlights - all at highbeams. Forget the opposite direction, its blinding even if I am in front of them. In cities most of the BPO cabs are permanently on high beam. And also when few newbies are driving the cars (slightly better than no lights ). Few Pulsars (sorry no offence, they seem be so many on roads) high beams are also a nuisance. I regulary follow High2Low dipper on highways. Apart from being a good practise, it keeps me active & involved in the driving. PS: In cities, I am always on low beam. Only if the road is inadequately lit and the speed is high (above 50Kmph), I switch on the high beam.
	() Thanks

17th November 2007, 01:54	#42
CBlazer BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 596 Thanked: 17 Times	Raja, Nice topic. Like you mentioned, I've found truck drivers to be more courteous when it comes to dipping. And I've noticed this consistently in the last several years of my highway driving experience. Of late, I've found buses to be the main culprits on highways. They just don't care whether you lower your beam or turn off your lights! A few years ago, Bangalore traffic police actually starting enforcing the "no high beam in the city" rule. They forced people to switch to parking lights and warned those who drove with high beam. It worked pretty well for a few weeks. One could see a significant difference. Many even started switching off their headlights at the traffic signals. I guess education helps to a large extent. And beyond that it is a matter of whether courtesy figures in a driver's list of priorities. OT: Is there a thread that discusses the right kind of number plates to use? I heard there was soon going to be a big drive(in Bangalore) to book all those with jazzy plates and funny fonts.
	() Thanks

17th November 2007, 09:56	#43
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,702 Thanked: 14,827 Times View My Garage	I feel that majority of indian drivers dont know the concept of high beam and low beam as the driving populace is increasing phenomenally. Traffic regulators should take up the task of teaching ( via, ads, newsprints, hoardings) these guys that low beam is meant for city driving and high beams to be used on highways for better visibility. In cities, if you dip also, the opposite driver either does not know or chooses to ignore the signal adding to the already increasing road-rage and possible risk of an accident. God save us all until the driving populace understand the importance of this signal. Until, then lets swerve and avoid being hit by these nerds
	() Thanks

17th November 2007, 19:39	#45
satish_appasani Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,112 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	Ince i roughed my car against the median because the guy in the opposite lane blinded me. Many people though they dip lights when you did at them, they get back to Hi-beam with in few seconds even before crossing you. Once an Innove blinded me, i stopped my car in the center of the road, switched on hi-beam and stalled him. i walked to him and asked him to switch off the hi-beam.
	() Thanks