Features like speed alert, reverse parking sensors, and seat-belt reminders are now standard.
![Maruti Wagon R Airbags](https://www.motorbeam.com/wp-content/uploads/Maruti-Wagon-R-Airbags.jpg)
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
![Chevrolet Beat Crash Test](https://www.motorbeam.com/wp-content/uploads/Chevrolet-Beat-Crash-Test.jpg)
Source – TheTimesofIndia.com