WHITE LIGHTS SHROUD THE ROAD

WHITE LIGHTS SHROUD THE ROAD

27-SEP-ENG 25

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------At night, bright white headlights dazzle not only the eyes but also the lives of people. Every year, thousands of people die in accidents due to this. This is not just a personal tragedy, but a shattering of the lives of entire families. The solution is simple: install yellow headlights, avoid bright white lights, the government should enact regulations, and the public should be aware. The message of the Janjan Gupta campaign is clear: “We want yellow friendship, not white glare!” We want safe roads, families, and night travel to be fear-free.

Night travel is always challenging. Darkness, fog, and rain—all these factors increase road risks. But today, a new and unseen danger is spreading on our roads—the bright white headlights of vehicles. This glare not only hurts the eyes but also often causes road accidents.

Every year, approximately 150,000 people lose their lives in road accidents in India, and millions are injured. The vast majority of these accidents occur at night. Road safety experts believe that the bright glare of white headlights plays a major role in these accidents. This isn't just a technical issue. It causes the breakdown of families, the helplessness of children, and the suffering of parents.

White headlights are much brighter than traditional yellow headlights. Human eyes are sensitive to blue-white light. When this bright light comes directly from the front, both drivers and pedestrians are blinded for a few seconds. In that instant, accidents occur. Bike riders fall, truck or bus drivers lose control, and pedestrians are caught in life-and-death situations. The elderly and children are most affected because their eyes are already sensitive.

A road accident isn't just a personal tragedy. It changes the lives of entire families. Children are separated from their parents, and parents lose their children. Many families are left incomplete forever. The economic impact of accidents is also enormous. Road accidents cause India a loss of approximately three percent of its GDP every year. This isn't just a personal loss; it also poses a serious threat to the country's economy.

Many developed countries have already recognized this problem. Europe, Japan, the United States, and Australia have strict regulations on the brightness and color of headlights. Yellow headlights are preferred there. These are not only safer for the eyes but also provide clearer visibility on the road in rain and fog. In India, regulations exist, but enforcement is lax. Vehicle manufacturers install bright headlights, and the public is often unaware of this danger.

Factors exacerbating the problem in India include unregulated after-market fittings, where people unintentionally install LED headlights; non-compliance with laws and disregard for road safety; and a lack of awareness, where most people are unaware that their white headlights can pose a danger to others.

The solution to this problem is not difficult. The government, vehicle manufacturers, and the public need to work together. The government must set clear standards for headlight brightness and color temperature. White headlights with a color temperature higher than 4300K ​​should be banned. The Road Transport Department must conduct regular inspections and take strict action. Vehicle manufacturers should install safe, yellow headlights by default, prioritizing safety over brightness.

Furthermore, awareness campaigns are crucial. Campaigns like Janjan Gupta's should be spread nationally. Messages like "Use Yellow Headlights - Save Lives" should be widely shared on TV, radio, and social media. People should take initiative, make their vehicle headlights safer, and also educate their family and friends.

The message of the Janjan Gupta campaign is simple and effective: "We want yellow friendship, not white glare." This is not just a slogan, but a movement. If we all embrace it, roads will be safer, families will be saved from accidents, and night travel will be free of fear.

Road safety isn't just about following rules; it's about protecting human life. Even something as small as a white headlight can cause widespread death and suffering. Every accident is a tragedy not just for one person, but for the entire society.

This problem has now become serious in India. Every day, accidents occur on the roads due to bright white lights. Many of these accidents are fatal. The elderly, children, and pedestrians are the most vulnerable. Bright white light doesn't give them time to make decisions, and accidents become inevitable. The lives of many families are forever changed because of this.

A road accident isn't just a road accident; it's a social tragedy. Children are separated from their parents, and parents from their children. Many families are never truly happy again. Furthermore, accidents result in significant medical expenses and recovery, impacting both families and society.

Many countries around the world have already taken action. In Europe, Japan, and the United States, yellow headlights are preferred. Bright white headlights are banned. India has regulations, but enforcement is weak. Vehicle manufacturers promote bright headlights for fashion or marketing purposes, and people are unaware.

The solution is simple. The government should make regulations and enforce them. Vehicle manufacturers should install safe, yellow headlights. The public should take action themselves and encourage others to do the same. Create awareness. Campaigns like Janjan Gupta can play a crucial role in this direction. Road safety isn't just about following rules; it's about protecting lives. Something as simple as white headlights can endanger many lives. A moment of bright light can cause eternal darkness for many families. If we all work together to spread awareness and adopt safer headlights, roads will be safer, families will be saved from accidents, and night travel will be fearless. Today is the time for us all to raise our voices, urge the government to tighten regulations, vehicle manufacturers to understand their responsibility, and ordinary people to become aware and bring about change. If a moment's brightness can bring darkness to life, why not transform that moment into the light of life and safety? Roads should be safe, families will be saved from accidents, and night travel will be fearless—this should be our goal.