Indian car owners are becoming increasingly aware of the need for safety equipment in their vehicles, a shift in mindset that the Indian Government has been actively promoting for some time.
Not only are passive safety features gaining popularity, but also the auto industry has made remarkable progress in developing active safety features. Leading the charge in this sector is the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
Following the six-airbag rule, which is scheduled to be implemented from October 2024, the government is contemplating making certain ADAS features mandatory for Indian cars.
MoRTH’s New Proposal
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), under the leadership of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, has drafted a new proposal with the primary objective of reducing road accidents and the resulting fatalities by half by 2024. The majority of accident deaths in 2022 were attributed to rear-end collisions (19.5%), followed by hit-and-run incidents (18.1%) and head-on collisions (15.7%).
To counter this, MoRTH has proposed installing a ‘Moving Off Information System’ (MOIS) in a specific category of four-wheelers, including both passenger and commercial vehicles. The aim is to create vehicles that come with built-in collision warning signals, reducing the likelihood of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Understanding MOIS
MOIS is a system designed to detect and inform the driver of the presence of pedestrians and cyclists nearby, and if necessary, based on the manufacturer’s strategy, warn the driver of a possible collision. The term VRU (Vulnerable Road Users) refers to adult or child pedestrians or cyclists.
The ‘collision warning signal’ is the signal emitted by the MOIS to alert the driver when a potential frontal collision with a VRU close to the front of the vehicle is detected. This draft proposal, titled ‘Approval of motor vehicles about the Moving Off Information System for the Detection of Pedestrians and Cyclists’, outlines the automotive industry standard for MOIS and will be made public after consultation.
ADAS Gaining Popularity
ADAS is becoming increasingly popular in the Indian passenger vehicle market, despite it currently being available only in a few premium cars. However, this draft proposal may prompt more manufacturers to incorporate ADAS features into mass-market vehicles, particularly in the small car segment. It’s worth noting that Hyundai Venue recently became the first sub-4-meter car in India to come equipped with a partial ADAS suite.
As we move forward, it is clear that the focus on car safety will continue to drive the evolution of the auto industry. It is a collective responsibility of the Government, car manufacturers, and car owners to ensure that our roads are safer for everyone. The introduction of ADAS and MOIS is a step in the right direction towards reducing accidents and making our roads safer.
