Regulations on vehicle lighting and safety enforcement to prevent road hazards from unauthorized devices.

ORDER

Anil K. Narendran, J.

In terms of the directions contained in the order of this Court dated 05.11.2025, the learned Senior Panel Counsel for Government of India has placed on record copy of AIS-008 - Installation Requirements of Lighting and Light-Signalling Devices for Motor Vehicle having more than Three Wheels including Quadricycles, Trailer and Semi-Trailer excluding Agricultural Tractors - and copy of AIS-052 - Code of Practice for Bus Body Design and Approval, with the amendments made thereto.

2. In paragraphs 33 and 34 of the decision in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [2025 SCC OnLine SC 2191 : 2025 INSC 1189] the Apex Court noticed hazards from dazzling LED headlights, red-blue strobe lights and unauthorised emergency hooters. Paragraphs 33 and 34 of the said decision read thus;

“33. Hazards from Dazzling LED Headlights, Red-Blue Strobe Lights, and Unauthorised Emergency Hooters:

33. This Court notes with particular concern the widespread use of dazzling white LED headlights, unauthorised red-blue strobe lights, and hooters that mimic emergency sirens. High-intensity headlights, including those fitted in two-wheelers, cause temporary visual disorientation and glare for oncoming drivers, as well as pedestrians. Pedestrians face momentary loss of spatial awareness, increasing the risk of being hit or tripping into roadside drains, pits, or other hazards. Drivers experience reduced reaction time, difficulty judging distances, and impaired lane discipline, particularly on narrow streets and highways, which heightens the likelihood of collisions.

34. Red-blue strobes, intended exclusively for authorised emergency vehicles, are increasingly misused by private vehicles and are freely available in the market. Similarly, hooters that imitate emergency sirens are illegally installed on private vehicles. Such misuse creates a false sense of authority, intimidation, and panic among pedestrians and other road users. Drivers may react abruptly, slow down unnecessarily, or make erratic manoeuvres, creating traffic disruptions and raising accident risk. Pedestrians may freeze, retreat, or take unsafe evasive actions, increasing their exposure to injury. The unauthorised use of these lights and siren-like hooters also undermines respect for genuine emergency services, diluting the authority and effectiveness of legitimate responders during critical situations.” (underline supplied)

3. In paragraph 35 of the decision in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [2025 SCC OnLine SC 2191] the Apex Court issued various directions. Paragraph 35.15 deals with directions on white LED dazzling headlights, red-blue strobe lights and unauthorised hooters. Paragraph 35.15 of the said decision reads thus;

“Directions on White LED Dazzling Lights, Red-Blue Strobe Lights, and Unauthorized Hooters:

35.15. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), State Transport Departments, and traffic police authorities shall prescribe maximum permissible luminance and beam angles for vehicle headlights and ensure compliance through checks during PUC testing and vehicle fitness certification, while conducting targeted drives to penalize non-compliant or modified headlights. A complete ban on unauthorized red-blue strobe flashing lights and illegal hooters shall be enforced through seizure, market crackdowns, and penalties. Simultaneously, nationwide public awareness campaigns by MoRTH, state transport departments, and traffic police shall be conducted to sensitize drivers and pedestrians about the hazards posed by dazzling headlights, unauthorized strobe lights, and illegal hooters, thereby enhancing overall road safety.”

4. The learned Special Government Pleader to get instructions from t