Blinding headlights turn night travel into a hazard as enforcement remains largely absent
Chandigarh,January 10 – The unchecked misuse of high-beam headlights on Punjab’s roads has emerged as a serious and growing public safety concern. From major cities to rural areas, from national highways to internal streets, vehicle drivers are freely using high-beam lights at night, openly violating traffic norms. Although the Motor Vehicles Act clearly prohibits the use of high beams on crowded, urban, and residential roads, the reality on the ground tells a very different story.
The excessive use of high-beam headlights is causing immense trouble for two-wheeler riders, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers approaching from the opposite direction. The intense glare often results in temporary blindness for a few crucial seconds, significantly increasing the risk of losing control of the vehicle. Traffic experts point out that several road accidents reported across the state have been linked to improper use of high-beam lights, yet the issue continues to be ignored at the enforcement level.
Despite the presence of clear legal provisions, including fines, penalty points, and even licence-related action for high-beam violations, implementation appears weak across Punjab. Traffic checking drives in many areas seem limited to verifying documents, helmets, or seat belts, while hazardous violations like high-beam misuse often go unnoticed. The lack of night-time special enforcement drives further raises questions about the seriousness of the authorities in addressing this issue.
Equally concerning is the absence of a widespread public awareness campaign. Many drivers continue to use high beams out of habit or ignorance, unaware of the danger it poses to others on the road. Road safety activists believe that strict enforcement combined with sustained awareness initiatives could drastically reduce night-time accidents. However, neither visible strictness nor effective education efforts are currently evident.
Daily commuters, including students, office workers returning late at night, and individuals on night shifts, are among the worst affected. For them, travelling after sunset has become increasingly stressful and unsafe. Citizens across Punjab are demanding that the state government and traffic police take immediate and concrete steps to curb high-beam violations. Suggestions include special night patrols, targeted challans, use of surveillance cameras, and regular public messaging on responsible driving practices.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, but enforcement agencies play a crucial role in setting discipline on the roads. When laws exist but are not implemented, violations become normalized and public safety suffers. The continued tolerance of high-beam misuse not only undermines traffic regulations but also puts countless lives at risk every night across Punjab.
The situation calls for urgent intervention, strict enforcement, and sustained awareness to ensure that Punjab’s roads are safer after dark and traffic laws are respected not just on paper, but in practice as well.
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