The State of Car Safety in India

The Alarming Reality of Road Safety in India

India's roads are among the most dangerous in the world. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in 2020 alone, there were 131,714 fatalities due to road accidents. This translates to one death every four minutes. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among people aged 15-29 in India.

Key Statistics:

• Annual Road Fatalities: Over 80,000 (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 2020)
• Global Ranking: India ranks first in the number of road accident deaths (WHO, 2018)
• Economic Impact: Road accidents cost India 3% of its GDP annually (World Bank, 2017)

How Safe Are Indian Cars?

When it comes to car safety, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) sets the gold standard. Euro NCAP conducts rigorous crash tests, including frontal, side, and pedestrian impact assessments. Unfortunately, many cars sold in India do not meet these stringent safety standards.

Euro NCAP and Indian Cars

Euro NCAP is a collaboration between governmental and automotive associations, overseen by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The program evaluates cars on various safety parameters, including adult and child occupant protection, pedestrian safety, and safety assist technologies.

Hyundai Elantra:

• Side Impact Test: Seat-mounted side airbags and head curtain airbags performed well, protecting rear passengers.
• Pedestrian Safety: The front bumper design minimized injury to the pedestrian dummy.
• Child Safety: The child restraints were inadequate, and the presence of a non-disableable front passenger airbag posed a risk.

Fully Imported Models:

• Ford Mondeo, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail: These models, imported as Completely Built Units (CBUs), come equipped with advanced safety features similar to their European counterparts. However, their high price tags make them less accessible to the average Indian consumer.

The Role of Legislation

In India, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is responsible for vehicle safety standards. However, the focus has largely been on environmental regulations, with safety taking a back seat.

Current Regulations:

• Seat-Belt Laws: Comparable to Euro NCAP standards.
• Frontal Offset Impact Testing: Yet to be implemented, with no set deadline.
• Child Safety: Largely ignored, with minimal emphasis on child restraints and other safety features.

The Need for Stricter Legislation

Airbags were introduced in Indian cars in 1994 but are still primarily available in premium models. Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a crucial safety feature, is rarely found in Indian-manufactured cars. Manufacturers should proactively introduce these safety systems, even as optional features, to raise awareness and improve road safety.

Conclusion

The state of car safety in India is alarming, with a significant gap between global standards and local practices. While some imported models offer advanced safety features, the majority of Indian cars lag behind. Stricter legislation and proactive measures by manufacturers are essential to reduce the high rate of road fatalities. By prioritizing safety, we can make Indian roads safer for everyone.

References:

1. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 2020
2. World Health Organization, 2018
3. World Bank, 2017

This article aims to shed light on the critical issue of car safety in India, urging both consumers and manufacturers to prioritize safety features and adhere to global standards.