Question : Safety Standards for Vehicles

(a) whether the Government proposes to accord star rating to passenger cars based on safety performance, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether several Indian Car models have failed the crash test under the Global New Car Assessment Programme, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has directed the car manufacturing companies to replace such sold models with improved safety standards and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the steps taken to ensure that car/vehicle manufacturers comply with the UN''s minimum crash test regulations including provision of air bags for new vehicles; and

(e) the other measures being taken to ensure safety standards in vehicles for the protection of drivers and passengers?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. Proposal of Bharat NCAP – A star rating program of new passenger cars based on safety performance is being reviewed by the Government. The program is proposed to be implemented initially on voluntary basis by the car manufacturer which rate the safety performance of the car mainly in Offset Frontal Crash, Side Impact Crash, Child safety Requirements and Pedestrian Safety Requirements with several other safety features like Antiskid Brakes, Seat Belt Reminder, etc. Several Indian car models got poor star ratings in the crash test performed under Global New Car Assessment Program conducted by GLOBAL NCAP, which is International voluntary organization working in the interest of consumers.

(c) to (e) The Government has already notified mandatory crash norms for frontal and side impact crash, in line with UNECE regulation for implementation in India from October 2017 for new car models and from 2019 for all the car models. The requisite crash test facilities have been built to address these requirements. Implementation of mandatory crash regulation will raise minimum safety level offered to driver and passengers across the car models as explained above in two stages. Apart from this Voluntary Scheme like Bharat NCAP will further encourage manufacturers to improve safety beyond regulation for competitive advantage in the market. For protection of drivers and passengers, Government has issued notification S.O 1139(E) dated 28.04.2015 amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 wherein under the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Programme, compliance as per Crash Standards, Automotive Industry Standard 098 and Automotive Industry Standard 099 shall be mandatory for the new vehicles from 1st October, 2017, and in case of existing vehicles same will apply from 1st October, 2018.
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