Concerned over the introduction of Avatar Navi, a scooter-cum-bike with 110CC capacity by the Honda Motors which is said to be high road risk-prone, the Sankha Dhwani Rasta Surakhya Samiti (SDRSS) has urged the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the company to do necessary modifications in the model for the greater interest of youths for which this two-wheeler has been developed.
Samiti secretary Prakash Kumar Mohapatra, who made an evaluation of the vehicle, found that the smart vehicle is very risky and fails to comply with safety norms.
The Honda Motors DGM said the vehicle has been targeted for 15 to 18 years even as per law driving licence would be given to only 18 or above 18 years -old people.
Barring its engine, the bike-cum-scooter has been equipped with plastic materials, which seems to be crash-prone too. Though the company authorities clarified that the vehicles would be sold to parents but actually it would be driven by their children below 18 years, said Mohapatra.
Indian law doesn't permit Dl for an underage to drive a vehicle above 50 CC, he pointed out. Company ASM for Odisha Dhrubjyoti Das admitted that it is difficult on the part of the company to track who rides the vehicle. During evaluation, it was also found that it doesn't have helmet keeping box.
As per data, causalities caused due to two-wheeler accidents is highest among road accident causalities, and if the new Honda Model occupies the roads massively the percentage would be 10 per cent more, observed Mohapatra.