Car Safety Norms

2021 Mahindra Thar Global NCAP Crash Test — Occupant safety will get even better with the new rule

Car safety norms in India have, of late, evolved for the right reasons and there is one more rule that the government will put into effect pretty soon.

After making it mandatory, in July last year, for carmakers to offer a driver-side airbag as standard, the government is now going to make it compulsory for the passenger-side airbag to be offered as standard as well.

This proposal has got the go-ahead from the apex technical committee on vehicle standards and the government has gone on to issue a draft notification to amend the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) dealing with safety features.

Moreover, the amendment has also proposed that child lock systems shall not be permitted for 4-wheelers used for commercial transport purposes.

The Road Transport Ministry is currently working on the timeline from when the new rule under the car safety norms will kick in.

Automakers are expected to be provided a year’s time to comply with the mandatory dual front airbags rule.

When it is applied, safety offered by even the most bottom-rung passenger car will have improved considerably and will likely save many lives.

However, one must note that in order to keeping its passengers safe during a crash, a vehicle must also have a sound body structure, 3-point seat belts at all seating positions, ISOFIX anchorages, among other things.

Also, improving India’s road network and eliminating black spots as much as possible would also go a long way in reducing accidents and fatalities on our roads.