Installing ‘after-market’ xenon headlights in cars is a federal traffic offence and could attract a fine of AED200, it has been reported.
Lights that come fitted to vehicles upon manufacture follow quality standards, but some added afterwards do not, said the director of Dubai Traffic Police.
Despite this, the brighter, whiter xenon lights are a common sight on UAE roads, according to traffic authorities.
Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui told Gulf News it is illegal to install brighter xenon lights on cars.
“The stock xenon light that come fitted on the vehicles are fine as they follow quality standards and regulations, but the after-market ones do not,” he said.
He said the brighter lights can distract other road-users, which is considered a modification to the vehicle and warrants a fine. He said officers are able to tell the two types apart.
The lights fall under Article No 95 of the Federal Traffic Act, which prohibits use of multi-coloured lights, as after-market xenon lights emit a bright white light, added a Sharjah Police official.
He said in cases of strong lighting that affects the eye or dim lighting that is not suitable for driving, motorists could be fined Dh200, while six black points will be handed to the motorist, according to Article No 130 of the Federal Traffic Law.
Gordon Ferguson, general manager of AAA Service Centre, said: “Manufacturers employ a self-levelling system to prevent the lights dazzling the oncoming traffic, the after-market units don’t have this so this is maybe why the police are banning the use of after-market units.”
He said the after-market units might also have higher watt bulbs compared with the original units. Though the after-market xenon lights are illegal, there is no issue with passing the vehicle as long as the lights work.
Sultan Al Marzouqi, director of Vehicles Licensing at the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “There is no rule specifying the xenon lights, but most modern cars manufacturers have it these days. Our role as vehicles inspection department is to check the functionality of the head lights.
“It is not within our jurisdiction to approve or disapprove after-market parts including Xenon lights as when a vehicle comes in for testing we look at the road-worthiness and functionality of the vehicle.”
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