This is not the first time that police have broken into illegal objects installed in a vehicle. Previously, various state police forces in India seized exhaust from the Royal Enfield and destroyed it with a heavy steamroller and crane. Mumbai police even bought new equipment to shut down these spare exhausts on the spot and punish the user. While this may not seem like an ethical way to punish the perpetrator, the high number of users of these illegal items forces cops to take such drastic measures. It may say the obvious, but your car`s headlights are a safety feature, and not all headlights are created equal. For some time now, automakers have been incorporating powerful LED headlights into their high-end offerings, but in most cases, their cheaper cars – and especially cheaper trim levels – are burdened with much lower lighting. But sometimes a commuter wants to see more of where they`re going from when the sun goes down. Finally, they are looking for a solution, starting with their local auto parts business. But plugging spare LED headlight bulbs into OEM enclosures designed for conventional halogen devices creates dangerous glare for oncoming drivers. While LEDs can provide more intense light at the higher end of the spectrum, most aftermarket devices also create a dangerous condition. „There are currently no replaceable LED headlights that meet federal safety standards. NHTSA is aware of illegal retrofit kits being sold to consumers and is working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent shipments of these non-compliant headlight bulbs from entering the United States.

NHTSA continually explores new technologies that have the potential to improve road safety. Aftermarket LED replacement lamps are illegal, but there is little enforcement at the federal level. We checked with NHTSA and a spokesperson told us this: You may be paused for unspecified headlights, and for good reason. In addition to issuing a quote, the enforcement officer may have the right to force you to remove the bulbs. Even more threatening, once the officer stops you, you risk a vehicle search. With that in mind, it would be wise to keep a set of OEM lamps securely packed in the glove compartment or trunk when using replacement LEDs. Do your research on lighting before making your next vehicle purchase. Headlight technology was usually provided with the equipment variant.

The base model would be equipped with reflective headlights, with projectors available in the mid and upper trim levels. Adaptive headlights were reserved for higher trim levels. All of this means that cheaper vehicles in America often have reflectors across the range. (The IIHS recently changed its testing rules and will only award its coveted Safety Top Pick+ to models that offer the best headlights in all trim levels.) The owners of Fiesta found themselves stuck between a rock and a dark place. While they can customize an expensive imported OEM projector housing, these cases lack side marker lights, making them illegal for home use. The lack of a suitable solution forces Fiesta ST owners looking for LEDs to cram replacement LED bulbs into original reflector housings, for better or worse. It should be noted that replacement LED auxiliary lamps are not legal in India. Even cars with spare lights are illegal and can be punished by the police. Aftermarket LED auxiliary lamps produce high-intensity light and many of these replacement lamps produce flashes of light such as strobes. These can be extremely dangerous on the roads and even dazzle drivers and drivers of vehicles on the opposite side.

LED lights are a great invention and almost every industry around the world has started using them. Even the automotive industry has started to offer LED bulbs with affordable cars and two-wheelers. The low power consumption and high intensity of LED lights make them one of the most popular choices for car owners. However, there are many cars and bikes that do not come with LED bulbs, and many of these car or bike owners opt for spare configurations. These can be extremely dangerous as they are bright and poorly tuned to illuminate roads. Instead, they dazzle drivers of oncoming vehicles. Large physical auto parts stores know this, which is why they tend to avoid H11 LED bulbs that are not clearly labeled for use in fog lights or „off-road use only.” It`s a different world online, with listings of off-brand H11 LED lights on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart sites that don`t include the same important warnings.