Bharat NCAP Launched to Elevate Car Safety Standards in India

The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) was unveiled by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, on 22^nd August.

Key Points

Aatmanirbhar Automobile Industry: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways emphasized that the Bharat NCAP will be instrumental in making India's automobile industry "aatmanirbhar" (self-reliant).
Timeline: Set to be effective from October 1, 2023, this initiative aims to enhance car safety standards in India, with a focus on vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
Enhancing Road Safety: The primary objective of Bharat NCAP is to boost road safety by assigning star ratings to cars based on their performance in rigorous safety assessments.
Safety for all: These assessments cover both adult occupant (AOP) and child occupant (COP) safety, providing consumers with a straightforward means of comparing safety levels among different car models.
Safety Testing Categories: Safety evaluations under Bharat NCAP will encompass front impact, side impact, and side impact pole tests.
Exclusion of EV: While electric vehicles (EVs) are not initially included, there are plans to incorporate them in the near future.
Nodal Authority: The Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) will handle the publication and certification after the public disclosure of crash test results.
Global Alignment: The Bharat NCAP test protocol will adhere to international NCAP rating agencies and incorporate front impact, side impact, and pole impact tests at a speed of 64 km/hour.

Significance of Bharat NCAP

Raising Consumer Awareness: Bharat NCAP ratings hold substantial importance in terms of increasing consumer awareness. These ratings will offer consumers a clear insight into the level of protection provided to vehicle occupants, encompassing aspects like adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assist technologies.
Advancing Safer Vehicles: The program's significance also lies in its role as a consumer-oriented platform. It empowers customers to make informed choices by selecting vehicles with higher Star Ratings, thereby promoting the production of safer vehicles by manufacturers.
Elevating Safety Standards and Export Potential: Bharat NCAP is committed to enhancing both structural and passenger safety within automobiles. Concurrently, it seeks to boost the export potential of Indian-made vehicles, making them more competitive in international markets.
Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Initiative: This initiative aligns seamlessly with the broader objective of fostering self-reliance in the Indian automobile industry. By focusing on safety and quality, Bharat NCAP aids in strengthening the domestic automotive sector's capabilities.

National Road Safety Policy (NRSP):

Formulated in 2010 based on recommendations of the S. Sundar Committee.
Aims to raise awareness about safety issues and support State Governments and local administrations in road safety efforts.
Includes reviews of road design standards and vehicle maintenance regulations.
Establishment of the National Road Safety Council to oversee road safety matters.

District Road Safety Committees (DRSC):

Created in each district under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988.
Responsibilities include ongoing analysis of traffic collisions, gathering information on incidents, causes, accident sites, and victims.
Tasked with developing district road safety plans and emergency medical plans.
Ensures ambulance accessibility and connectivity to hospitals.

Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019:

Introduced several road safety measures, including:
Establishment of a National Road Safety Board.
Increased fines for traffic violations.
Recall of defective vehicles harmful to the environment and people.
Creation of a Solatium Fund for hit-and-run accident victims.
Punishment for vehicle owners for violations committed by juveniles.
Introduction of automated testing for driver's licenses and fitness certificates.

Protection of Good Samaritans:

Guidelines issued to protect those who provide emergency care to accident victims.
Good Samaritans are safeguarded from civil and criminal liability.
Police are discouraged from involving Good Samaritans in investigations.
Hospitals should not refuse to treat accident victims and should not charge for first aid.

Vehicle Safety Standards:

Mandatory front and side crash tests for new car models implemented in 2017.
Requirement for new cars to have airbags as standard.
Guidelines for road safety audits on National Highways.
Installation of roadside safety crash barriers and speed warning boards.
Mobile app 'Sukhad Yatra 1033' for reporting hazards and accidents on National Highways.
Efforts to rectify identified black spots.
Road safety audits conducted at all highway development stages.
Provision of foot over bridges and underpasses for pedestrian safety.

Multi-Pronged Strategy:

Based on 4 'E's: Education, Engineering (of roads and vehicles), Enforcement, and Emergency Care.
Aimed at addressing road safety comprehensively and reducing road accidents and fatalities.