Govt makes 6 airbags mandatory in all passenger cars from this date — check details

Road safety rules: Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, Nitin Gadkari in a tweet proposed mandating a minimum of 6 Airbags in Passenger Cars (M-1 Category) w.e.f October 1, 2023 to further enhance the vehicular safety. 

“Considering the global supply chain constraints being faced by the auto industry and its impact on the macroeconomic scenario, it has been decided to implement the proposal mandating a minimum of 6 Airbags in Passenger Cars (M-1 Category) w.e.f 01st October 2023,” he tweeted.

Emphasising the importance of safety he tweeted, “Safety of all passengers travelling in motor vehicles irrespective of their cost and variants is the foremost priority.”

Recently the government has issued a draft notice for mandating a three point seat belt alarm system, airbags, and alarm for overspeeding which is open for suggestions till October 5, 2022. The draft is for M (vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of passengers) and N (Power-driven vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of goods) category vehicles.

The death of businessman and former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry in a road accident earlier this month prompted the government to renew the push toward passenger safety in cars.

Also read: https://www.zeebiz.com/automobile/news-new-rules-coming-soon-seat-belt-a...

Ensuring there are no loopholes:

It will be mandatory for the seat belt to be stretched by at least 10 mm. This will prevent any product used to get rid of the warning alarm.

Reverse alarm will be mandatory in all M, N category vehicles

What are M and N category vehicles? 

M categories consist of vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of passengers.

M1 category consists of vehicles used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's

N category consists of power-driven vehicles having at least four wheels and used for the carriage of goods