Overview
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has circulated draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules that would tighten vehicle lighting and visibility standards to reduce glare from headlamps.
- The draft sets lower luminous‑intensity caps for high beams, cutting two‑wheeler limits from 150,000 candela to 100,000 candela and four‑wheeler limits from 225,000 candela to 150,000 candela.
- It would cap headlamp colour temperature at 6,500 Kelvin and align main‑beam mounting height with passing‑beam (low‑beam) specifications to reduce harsh, blinding light.
- Automatic Headlamp On systems would be required to keep lamps in low‑beam when active and a reported speed‑sensitive audio alert would prompt drivers to drop manual high beam in urban conditions with no warning above 60 km/h.
- The measures remain draft proposals that would require formal notification and consultation before taking effect, would force manufacturers and inspectors to change equipment and checks, and are intended to make night driving safer for riders, drivers and pedestrians.