Karaoglanoglu Coastal Corridor – Opposing Headlight Glare Compression on Narrow Mid-Strip Segment

Along the central Karaoglanoglu (Karaoğlanoğlu) coastal corridor, there are short segments where the carriageway visually narrows due to dense curb-side parking and restaurant frontage. The lane width technically remains compliant, yet perception changes after dark.

The exposure forms between 20:30 and 22:00.

The risk is not speed. It is opposing headlight glare combined with perceived lateral constraint.

A recurring scenario develops during steady evening flow.

Westbound traffic toward Alsancak maintains moderate rhythm. Eastbound vehicles approach from Kyrenia with headlights active. At specific points where parked vehicles line both sides and restaurant lighting reflects off windshields, glare intensity increases.

The road appears narrower than it is.

A westbound driver experiences momentary visual washout from an approaching vehicle’s headlights. During that fraction of a second, steering input tightens slightly toward the curb side. Simultaneously, the opposing driver makes a similar micro-adjustment away from perceived center-line proximity.

Both vehicles remain within their lanes. However, spacing between mirrors becomes marginally reduced.

A third vehicle following either direction reacts to perceived closeness by reducing speed more sharply than necessary. Compression forms behind.

The geometry contributes subtly. Dense frontage and curb parking create tunnel-like visual framing. Unlike open seafront stretches, this segment compresses lateral perception.

Artificial lighting compounds the effect. Bright restaurant signage increases contrast differences between illuminated storefronts and darker asphalt. When headlight glare overlays that contrast, depth judgment weakens.

Season modifies intensity. In summer, higher pedestrian density and parked vehicle frequency increase visual clutter. In winter, reduced ambient lighting accelerates glare prominence even with lower traffic volume.

Historically, when curb-side density was lower along Karaoglanoglu coastal strip, opposing vehicles passed with greater visual buffer. As hospitality frontage intensified and on-street parking expanded, the visual corridor narrowed without structural lane reduction.

The exposure rarely results in collision. It produces synchronized micro-corrections and brake compression triggered by temporary glare-induced misjudgment of lateral space.

As long as opposing headlight glare intersects with dense curb parking and illuminated frontage, glare compression on narrow mid-strip segments will remain part of the Karaoglanoglu coastal corridor’s night-time rhythm.