Features like speed alert, reverse parking sensors, and seat-belt reminders are now standard.
While the world is moving towards safer cars, with NCAP stars in their pocket, India is slithering away from it. The government of India has mandated automobile companies to offer a single driver-side airbag instead of 2 in cars as standard. This regulation is in contrast with the initial draft that was circulated by the road transport ministry over 2 years ago. It proposed mandating 2 airbags at the front as part of a significant overhaul of in-vehicle safety of passengers.
While low-cost safety features like speed alert, reverse parking sensors, and seat-belt reminders are now standard in vehicles, life-saving safety gear for a passenger traveling in the front seat is yet to be approved.
Yet, hope for safer roads in India is not lost as a transport ministry official has remarked that a proposal to rectify the AIS code to make airbags mandatory for both driver and co-passenger in the front seats will be submitted.
However, to put the record straight, companies have opted for single airbags on their products due to price-sensitive customers. The inclusion of airbags, anti-skid braking, mandatory 3rd-party insurance for 3 years and BS6 standard have pushed up costs. While it has left automakers with nothing but to cut certain safety features in entry-level offerings, it has witnessed buyers postponing purchases hurting an already bleeding industry.
Safety Regulations India
– Automobile companies mandated to offer a single driver-side airbag
– The initial draft proposed mandating 2 airbags at the front
– Proposal to rectify the AIS code will be submitted soon
Source – TheTimesofIndia.com