Political scientist Bakyt Baketaev harshly criticized the state of road lighting in Kyrgyzstan. With many years of driving experience, he noted that the chaos caused by the use of uncertified headlights and loud horns makes nighttime driving a real fight for survival. According to him, this situation is becoming increasingly intolerable.
“I am an experienced driver with forty years of experience. Sixty years behind the wheel is not just a statistic. It’s thousands of nighttime trips and responsibility for the lives of passengers and other road users. I must express my anger because we cannot live like this anymore,” Baketaev said.
He poses the question: “What is happening on our roads? Most cars have installed dazzling homemade or uncertified headlights. They shine as if they are airport spotlights, not ordinary headlights. Drivers boast: ‘Look how bright it is!’ Yes, they can see, but the oncoming driver is blinded. At a speed of 90 km/h, losing sight even for two seconds can lead to tragedy. I flash my headlights - and there’s no reaction. I honk - indifference. This is selfishness,” he added.
Baketaev also raises the issue of how the country positions itself as a tourist destination while facing anarchy on the roads.
“We talk about infrastructure development, about building roads and factories, but why is there chaos on the roads? Don’t we have standards?” he questions. The political scientist reminds of existing international standards that regulate the brightness and angle of light devices. “Headlights should meet factory parameters, but instead, we see homemade xenon lamps and blinding LED blocks,” he emphasizes.
The criticism also addresses the problem of noise from vehicles and driver behavior. “What about trucks and buses? Loud horns scare people. Modified mufflers create noise that can be heard across half a district. Why is that? To show power? People get scared, children suffer, the elderly experience stress. This causes psychological harm,” Baketaev noted.
He also points out the contradiction in the behavior of some drivers who, despite their religious practices, forget about morality on the road. “Is faith only about rituals? Respect for others begins with not blinding them and not putting them in danger,” he added.
Critically assessing the work of the relevant authorities, Baketaev questions the effectiveness of control: “Where is the control? Why has vehicle inspection become a formality? Why don’t deputies raise this issue? Perhaps because they themselves do not face this problem, moving around in official cars,” he says.
To improve the situation, Baketaev proposes a number of strict measures: “There needs to be mandatory headlight checks during inspections with brightness measurement and adjustment. Uncertified devices should not be installed. Fines should be such that the desire to ‘make them brighter’ disappears. It is necessary to conduct raids to control trucks, buses, and motorcycles, as well as monitor excessively loud horns,” he noted.
In conclusion, the political scientist emphasizes that driving culture and mutual respect on the roads are the foundation of a civilized society. “When at night you are not blinded by oncoming light, when headlights are properly adjusted, that is true reform. We are building a modern state, but culture begins with respect on the road. If we want to be a civilized country, we need to start with the simple act of stopping blinding each other,” he summarized.
