Two wheelers to have compulsory auto headlamps from April 2017

All two wheelers in India will need to have the automatic headlamps on (AHO) similar to Daytime Running Lamps in cars, from April 2017.

New two-wheelers with the AHO feature will have their headlights on as soon as the engine is started and these vehicles will not have a switch for a rider to turn the headlight off. The road transport ministry has reportedly finalized the norm with the objective to reduce crashes after consultations with two wheeler manufacturers.

According to reports, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) recently made a detailed presentation to transport minister Nitin Gadkari after the proposal was cleared by the panel which sets vehicle standards.

The Supreme Court-appointed committee on road safety had also reportedly pushed the proposal considering the fact that AHO has been found beneficial in reducing crashes involving two-wheelers in many parts of the world. This has been a feature in European countries since 2003.

According to experts on automobile safety, AHO has improved conspicuousness of two-wheelers during day and at dawn and dusk.

“It’s a welcome move. Internationally, it’s been around for a long time, so this law will certainly help,” said auto expert Raj Kapoor. But experts are also of the view that although safety norms are welcome, it’s enforcement that needs to be looked into.

“How many two wheelers on the streets have working tail lights? Are we enforcing that?” asks another auto expert.

The road transport ministry is also working on a plan to fit a sound device that can alert passersby and people around an accident site. In Western countries, the horn automatically starts honking when a vehicle meets with an accident and works as an alert.

While these are welcome moves by the government to improve safety of two wheeler riders, the larger debate is also about safe riding and safety as more and more motorcycles are available on Indian roads with high power output.

Unlike the West, where A1 and A2 licence holders are allowed only to ride motorcycles with a certain displacement and power output, in India, any driving licence holder can ride any motorcycle. And that means a superbike can be ridden by any novice rider, and that also increases chances of accidents waiting to happen.

Experts opine that as the Indian two wheeler scene evolves, and more and more high-powered bikes are available, enforcement of laws and even licencing regulations need to be looked into.