Govt to Make Crash Test Mandatory

To a relief, Government of India is looking to mandate the crash test in cars for better safety of customers. With the compulsion in play, auto manufacturers apart from installing airbags and anti-lock braking systems have to make sure that their vehicles undergo crash test before finally making their way to the showrooms.

With the crash test in action, the car makers have to incorporate some extra safety measures which would result in increase in ex-showroom prices. Some of the automakers have concern that if safety features are made compulsory, car prices could increase by 15 per cent to 20 per cent for the base model and subsequently on higher variants.

Moreover, the government is also planning to open a New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) facility by January next year and with the Motor Vehicles Act in rule, the automakers have to install airbags, crumple zones and electronic safety control in new car models. 

A senior official of the Ministry of Roads and National Highways on being asked about the increase in price of car said, “They can’t afford it? What kind of an argument is that? My mandate is road safety. We want Indians to survive. If they were serious about crash-worthiness about their cars, they could have gone to Malaysia and tested it.”

Furthermore, the cars which are exported out from the country are being made to pass the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) norms however, they skip this process while retailing cars in India. The official further said “They should achieve star rating (one to five stars are awarded based on safety features in a car) for Indian customers as well. I don’t see why Indian customers should be short-changed,” he said.

K. K. Gandhi, Executive Director (Tech), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said, “We have had discussions with the government on the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment program (BNVSA). Until now, the problem was the absence of a crash test facility. We expect one by the end of this year and another by early next year. Once this happens, some may go for BNVSA star rating on voluntary basis.”

A Toyota spokesperson said, “We welcome the decision to make crash tests mandatory. Our market should be on par with global standards in every aspect, including safety. This would help us reduce fatalities on the roads which are a matter of concern to us.”

Source: The Hindu