The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has put forward a proposal for new safety measures aimed at passenger vehicles designed to carry more than eight individuals. According to a draft notification, all newly manufactured passenger vehicles, including buses and trucks, will be required to incorporate advanced automotive safety technologies such as Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS), Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning Systems (DDAWS), and Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS).

This regulation is set to take effect for all large passenger vehicles, buses, and trucks starting in April 2026. For existing vehicle models, the new standards will be implemented from October 2026 onward.

In addition to the previously mentioned safety technologies, it will be mandatory for buses and trucks in the country to include an onboard blind spot information system that alerts drivers to the presence of pedestrians and cyclists in their blind spots. Both mini and standard buses, as well as trucks produced after the specified deadlines, must also feature vehicle stability functions.

The MoRTH has proposed a significant revision to the Motor Vehicle Rules, making the inclusion of the aforementioned safety features and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) compulsory, as reported by TOI. Through these regulations, the Indian government aims to enhance vehicle safety across the nation. Notably, this initiative from MoRTH coincides with the European Union's requirement for all new motor vehicles to be equipped with various ADAS technologies to improve road safety.

Impact of new norms on BNCAP

India has established its own vehicle safety rating framework through the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). It is anticipated that this rating system will undergo updates, with vehicles equipped with advanced safety technologies expected to achieve higher scores in crash tests. However, the government has not yet announced any plans regarding this development.

Functionality of Safety Systems

The Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) is designed to detect potential forward collisions and automatically engage the brakes if the driver fails to respond in time. This technology slows the vehicle down to lessen the impact's severity.

The Driver Drowsiness Alert and Warning System (DDAWS) assesses the driver's attentiveness by evaluating factors such as steering behavior, lane positioning, and facial recognition. If the system identifies signs of drowsiness, a common contributor to serious accidents, it provides audio alerts to warn the driver. This technology aims to mitigate the risks associated with delayed reactions during high-speed driving.

Improper lane changes are another significant cause of accidents on highways and expressways. To address this issue, the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) will be made mandatory. This technology alerts drivers when their vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane, offering visual, auditory, or haptic signals to encourage corrective measures, thereby reducing accidents linked to distraction or fatigue.

Additionally, the blind spot detection system has been mandated in the latest regulations from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). This system detects and alerts drivers to the presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or other objects in the vehicle's blind spots, aiming to decrease the likelihood of collisions.

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