All the cars have to be equipped with airbags and seatbelt reminders; alert systems compulsory for speeds above 80 kmph
The union road and transport ministry has approved the ordinance making the basic safety features mandatory for all the cars in the country from July 2019. According to this rule all the cars must be equipped with safety features like airbags, seatbelt reminders, speed alert systems, reverse parking sensors and manual central locking override.
The ordinance also clears that all the cars must have alert systems for speed above 80 kmph. This means many popular entry level small hatchbacks in the country will come equipped with these safety measures as standard. However, the list of standard safety features doesn’t include ABS, which is another necessary safety measure for the vehicles. No wonder, such move will enhance the safety of the cars resulting in protection for the occupants.
Also read: Expected Cars at 2018 Auto Expo in India – 30+ Cars
Speaking about the speed alert, the in-car system will alert the driver once the car crosses 80 kmph speed mark. The alert will be sharper when the speed crosses 100 kmph and it will be non-stop when the vehicle cross 120 kmph speed mark. The speed governors have already become mandatory for all the cabs plying in Delhi and NCR limiting their speed to 80 kmph. Now, similar measure is about to be adopted by the entire Indian car industry.
The manual override system for central locking will enable the occupants to come out of a car in case they get trapped inside the cabin after an accident. While the new cars coming in market will be fitted with this safety features, it is not sure, what will happen with the cars on road.
Also read: Upcoming Cars in India in 2018 – 30+ Cars
India is among the top countries with alarmingly high number of deaths take place due to road accidents every year. In 2016, 1.51 lakh fatalities were reported due to road accidents and among this 74,500 cases included speeding. Now, with these new systems, government is also trying to reduce the over-speeding tendency of drivers.