Government of India will soon make passenger side airbag mandatory for all cars including affordable models. In the current safety norms, only the driver-side airbag is mandatory in all cars. Cars like Renault Kwid, Datsun Redi-GO, Maruti Alto and the S-Presso are available with driver-side airbag as standard.
The apex technical committee on vehicle standards has given the go-ahead to this proposal. In fact, the Government has issued a draft notification to amed automotive industry standard (AIS) dealing with safety features. Commenting on the same, Government officials said, “There is a consensus across the globe that vehicles should have maximum features to protect the occupants in case of a crash. We have also made it clear that there won’t be any compromise on safety features irrespective of cost.”
The road transport ministry is working on the time-line to finalize the timeline for the new norm. It is expected that the Government could give 1 year to automakers to make cars compliant with the new safety standards.
The single airbag proved to be inadequate as it leaves the front passenger vulnerable to serious injuries, or even death, in case of a road crash. Speed alert, reverse parking sensors, seat belt reminder, ISOFIX, engine immobilizer and driver-side airbag along with ABS are offered as standard. The Government has also proposed that the child lock systems shall not be permitted for all four-wheelers used for commercial transport purposes.
