Current Affairs

Issue

A draft notification has been approved by the government to make six airbags compulsory for cars having a capacity of up to eight passengers.

 

Background

The government has not given any particular timeline for implementation of the new order.

 

Details

• The government has asked automakers in India to provide at least six airbags as standard equipment on all variants of each model they produce.

• Currently, dual airbags for drivers and front passenger has been made mandatory for all vehicles from this January.

 

Vehicles covered under order

• The order will be applicable for the ‘M1’ vehicle category, to minimise the impact of “frontal and lateral collisions” to the occupants seated in both the front and rear compartments.

• Airbags deployment will be compulsory for two side or side torso airbags, and two side curtain or tube airbags, covering all outboard passengers.

 

Categories under homologation rules

• The ‘M’ category of vehicles covers motor vehicles with at least four wheels, used for carrying passengers. 

• The subcategory M1 defines a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.

 

Homologation

• Certifying particular vehicle as roadworthy is known as homologation. They have to match certain specified criteria laid down by the government for all vehicles.

• Vehicles have to undergo tests to ensure that vehicle matches the requirements of the Indian market in terms of emissions, and safety and roadworthiness.

 

Need for more airbags

• In case of accidents, airbags prevent occupants from coming into contact with the steering wheel, dashboard, front glass, and other parts of the automobile.

• Indian cars are poor when it comes to offering safety measures. In addition, India’s road safety is one among the poorest in the world.

• The price competitiveness in India has made car-makers to cut down on safety features while launching vehicles in the country.

 

Challenges

• The deployment of frontal airbags will raise the cost of vehicles by up to 5,000 to 10,000. This will further increase if airbags are provided at back.

• Many models have been designed especially for Indian markets and deployment of airbags will involve re-engineering and redesigning.

 

Concerns

Automakers provide safety features for only top end models and bundle them with unnecessary additional features to increase the cost substantially, discouraging buyers.