Deadly Night Crash Sparks Ban on High-Beam and Modified Vehicle Lights

Peshawar – Authorities have imposed a blanket ban on high-beam, laser and modified vehicle headlights after a series of night-time road accidents, capped by a fatal crash in the Mohmand tribal district that sharpened concerns over glare-related driving hazards.

The decision follows an incident in Lower Mohmand, where a Toyota Fielder veered off a mountainous road at night and plunged into a deep ravine, killing six people and injuring another. Preliminary findings indicated poor visibility and intense headlight glare as contributing factors, according to officials familiar with the investigation. The tragedy became a tipping point for regulators already alarmed by rising complaints and crash data tied to blinding lights.

In response, district authorities and traffic police in Peshawar moved swiftly to prohibit the use, sale and installation of non-standard lighting systems, including aftermarket high-beam kits and laser headlights. 

Enforcement will be carried out under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which covers disobedience to lawful orders issued by public servants. Violators face fines and possible legal action, while shopkeepers selling banned lighting equipment may also be penalized.

Traffic officials stressed that the ban is not cosmetic enforcement but a road-safety intervention. Night-time crashes linked to glare have been climbing, particularly on highways and hilly terrain where a momentary loss of vision can be fatal. 

Authorities urged motorists to stick to factory-approved headlights, use low beams responsibly and cooperate with enforcement teams as checks begin across urban centers and highways.

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