Giving utmost priority to the vehicle safety standards, Union Roads & Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that very soon the Government will notify mandatory standards like crash testing of vehicles, seat belts, alarm detection for dozing drivers, etc, based on which a vehicle will be star rated just on lines of other machinery products happening world over including India.
Addressing a Press Conference on ‘Automobile Safety Ecosystem in India’, Gadkari highlighted points to offer regarding the general safety of cars in India.
Elaborating on other safety systems under implementation Gadkari spoke about Electronic Stability Control, Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS),Transport of dangerous goods, ease of mobility for Divyangjan, Driver Drowsiness Attention Warning System (DDAW), Blind Spot Information System , Advanced Driver Assisting system and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).
Gadkari said the steps are being taken as still as many as 1.5 lakh people die every year in 5 lakh road accidents across the country and all the stakeholders of transport sector are aiming to reduce these fatalities by 50 per cent within next two years.
The Minister further said the Government has made it mandatory for automakers to provide three-point seat belts for all front-facing passengers in a car. “The norm will also be applicable for the middle seat in the rear row of a car,” the Union minister.
“I have signed a file on Wednesday to make it mandatory for automakers to provide three-point seat belts for all the front facing passengers in a car," the road transport and highways minister said.
Presently, only the front seats and two rear seats in most cars produced in the country have three-point seat belts. However, the centre or middle rear seat in these cars come equipped with only a two-point or lap seat belt, similar to the ones provided in aircraft seats.
Gadkari said there has to be zero tolerance for road accidents. Road safety is a very serious issue and there should be zero tolerance for road accidents, Gadkari emphasized on requirement of 4 additional airbags and 3-point seat belt for improving safety provisions.
There will also be an aim to have an independent agency (Bharat NCAP) give out ratings to automobiles in the country based on their safety features, the Minister said.
The Minister said a system is being proposed for star rating of the vehicle based on the standards and protocol, to improve upon the safety of the vehicle. He said this will enable the purchaser of the vehicle to take informed decisions.
The Minister emphasized on importance of reducing sound pollution and use of Electric vehicles. Gadkari said the need of the hour is to create mass awareness for road safety measures by information dissemination through media and peoples participation.
