New Vehicle Safety Norms To Be Implemented

New Delhi: After a long wait, we are finally going to get updated safety norms of European standards.

ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) that modulates the braking force and prevents the wheels from locking and skidding will become compulsory for all cars from April 2019.

From July 1, 2019, in addition to ABS, it will be compulsory for all cars to have a driver-side airbag, a speed warning system, seatbelt reminder system for the driver and co-driver and rear parking sensors as a standard norm.

It will be mandatory for central locking systems to have a manual override and child locks will be banned from transport vehicles, since have been misused for women’s safety.

New crash tests for full-frontal impact at 48 kmph, offset-frontal impact at 56 kmph and lateral/side impact at 50 kmph will be included for models already on sale as well from October 1, 2019. New models launched after October 1, 2017 were required to fulfill the criteria. Also, new rules for pedestrian safety that were implemented for new models from October 1, 2018 will be applicable for all cars from 2020.

Two- wheelers under 125cc will have to be fitted with a combi-braking system, while for those above 125cc, it will be compulsory to have ABS installed.

The new safety norms will force manufacturers to update their vehicles and some models will have to be completely redesigned. Maruti had recently announced that it would phase out the popular Alto800 because it would not be feasible to redesign it according to the new norms.