Kerala High Court Issues Strict Directives to Enhance Road Safety and Curb Unauthorized Use of Vehicle Lights and Hooters

Landmark Judgment Targets Dazzling LED Headlights, Red-Blue Strobe Lights, and Videography Inside Moving Vehicles

In a pivotal judgment passed by the Kerala High Court on November 19, 2025, the Division Bench comprising Justices Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. has issued a series of directives aimed at bolstering road safety measures across the state and curbing the unauthorized use of vehicle lights and hooters. This judgment arises from a suo motu writ petition against the Union of India and others concerning violations of safety standards under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The High Court expressed grave concern over the widespread use of dazzling LED headlights, unauthorized red-blue strobe lights, and emergency hooters, which mimic official sirens. These illegal modifications pose significant hazards to both pedestrians and drivers by causing visual disorientation and increasing the risk of accidents. The misuse of red-blue strobes and hooters not only undermines genuine emergency services but also creates intimidation and panic among road users, leading to erratic driving behavior and heightened accident risks.

In alignment with the Supreme Court's directives from the case of S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India, the High Court has mandated the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), State Transport Departments, and traffic police authorities to enforce maximum permissible luminance and beam angles for vehicle headlights. Compliance checks during Pollution Under Control (PUC) testing and vehicle fitness certification will be intensified, alongside targeted drives to penalize non-compliant or modified headlights. A complete ban on unauthorized red-blue strobe lights and illegal hooters is to be enforced through market crackdowns, seizures, and penalties.

Furthermore, the judgment calls for nationwide public awareness campaigns by MoRTH, state transport departments, and traffic police, aimed at sensitizing drivers and pedestrians about the dangers posed by dazzling headlights and unauthorized lighting devices. These efforts are expected to significantly enhance road safety.

Additionally, the court has raised concerns about vloggers capturing videos inside driver compartments of moving contract carriages and heavy goods vehicles, which violates safety standards. The Transport Commissioner and State Police Chief are instructed to investigate these practices and ensure adherence to prescribed safety standards, including AIS-008 and AIS-052.

The judgment also highlights the rampant use of contract carriages and stage carriages that openly flout safety standards by installing DJ lights, laser lights, multi-color LED lights, and high-power music systems inside passenger compartments. The installation of alternative power sources like inverters and multiple batteries poses further threats to passenger safety. The High Court has set a follow-up date for November 21, 2025, to review the actions taken by the authorities in response to these directives.

This landmark judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to enhancing road safety and enforcing compliance with statutory standards, thereby safeguarding the lives of motorists and pedestrians alike.

Bottom Line:

Road safety measures concerning unauthorized use of dazzling LED headlights, red-blue strobe lights, and emergency hooters, and compliance with prescribed safety standards for motor vehicles.

Statutory provision(s): Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Suo Motu v. Union of India, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2811114