Bengaluru: Dazzling headlights land 10,000 motorists in trouble

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) has intensified their special drive against light pollution, with cases surging to 9,782 as of Sunday.

The drive, which began on January 7, recorded 1,843 new violations on Saturday night alone.

The crackdown targets unauthorised LED lights, high-intensity discharge lamps, and coloured flashlights that officials say are making roads hazardous after sunset.

The West Division remains the main hotspot, accounting for more than half the city's total with 4,994 bookings to date.

From SUVs to autorickshaws, vehicles are being stopped for exceeding permissible wattage or using non-prescribed lighting. BTP data shows a growing trend of flashlights on private vehicles, often in red, blue or yellow, creating confusion on the roads.

For regular night-time commuters, the drive is vital.

"It is like being hit by a laser beam," says Rohan Das, a techie who commutes via the Outer Ring Road. "When an SUV with a high beam comes from the opposite side, I have to stop my bike because I cannot see the road for the next five seconds."

Other commuters reported being alarmed by deceptive lighting. One driver recalled stopping on a flyover after mistaking a private vehicle’s flashing LEDs for a police interceptor.

RTO officials clarify that any modification deviating from manufacturer specifications violates the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR). Specifically, AIS-130 (Automotive Industry Standard) regulates the approval of LED sources. 

RTO safety standards show a significant difference between legal and illegal lighting.

Under AIS-130, a standard white LED headlight should operate between 4 and 12 watts, producing 725 lumens with an even, road-focused distribution. Many illegal modifications use 50 to 100 or more watts, generating thousands of lumens concentrated into a piercing, laser-like beam.

Law permits standard white or warm yellow headlights, but violators are increasingly using blue, red, or multi-colour flashing lights, which are prohibited for private use.

"Many aftermarket LED lights lack UV radiation control and normalised luminous intensity," a senior Transport Department official said. "When you jump from 12 watts to 100 watts, you are not just lighting the road; you are creating a blinding wall of light that leads to head-on collisions. Your vehicle's high beam can cause harm to another person's life. Use low beam at night."

Enforcement on the spot

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy has directed all police stations to register cases and ensure on-the-spot removal of unauthorised fittings, dismantling LED bars, and flashers from vehicles, including bikes and commercial pick-ups.

All kinds of LED show lights

A lorry using high-beam light.