In a significant move to enhance road safety, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced plans to implement safety assessment ratings for trucks and commercial vehicles, mirroring the existing Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) for passenger cars.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking at a two-day workshop on Vehicle and Fleet Safety organized by Global NCAP and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), emphasized the government's commitment to reducing road accidents. He highlighted that India records approximately 4.8 lakh road crashes annually, resulting in 1.8 lakh fatalities. The introduction of safety ratings for commercial vehicles is part of a broader strategy to address this pressing issue.
In addition to trucks, the government is focusing on establishing safety standards and assessment systems for battery-operated e-rickshaws, which have been identified as having significant safety concerns. Improving the safety of e-rickshaws is expected to enhance their quality and generate more employment opportunities in the sector.
The Ministry is also working on regulations to determine working hours for truck drivers, who currently drive for extended periods, often exceeding 13-14 hours a day. To address the shortage of trained drivers, plans are underway to establish 32 state-of-the-art driving institutes across the country. Furthermore, the Ministry has mandated air-conditioning in driver compartments and the implementation of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) to assist drivers.
In a bid to promote road safety awareness from an early age, the government has introduced road safety as part of the school curriculum for students from classes 1 to 12. A road safety anthem, composed by renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan, will be translated into 22 languages to spread awareness nationwide.
Dr Rohit Baluja, President, IRTE, said, “The two-day workshop will review progress in vehicle safety worldwide and in India since 2000 and the priority actions needed to achieve further improvements by 2030 and beyond. In particular, the meeting will examine efforts to improve automobile safety worldwide by reviewing the progress made by the G20 major economies, including India, to implement the Global Plan vehicle safety recommendations and feature special sessions on fleet and motorcycle safety.”
David Ward, President Emeritus of Global NCAP, acknowledged the positive impact of safety assessment programs like Bharat NCAP in providing consumers with better choices for safer vehicles, contributing to the United Nations' objective of road safety by 2030.
This comprehensive approach by the Indian government underscores its dedication to enhancing road safety, reducing fatalities, and fostering a culture of responsible driving across the nation.
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