Latest news with #IRTE
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Safety first: Govt mulls mandatory ABS for all two-wheelers above 50cc
Representative image NEW DELHI: Government is considering making anti-lock braking systems (ABS) mandatory for all two-wheelers with engine capacity above 50cc. At present, ABS is only required in motorcycles over 125cc. This safety feature helps prevent wheel lock-up during sudden braking, enhancing control and reducing stopping distances, especially on slippery roads. Experts from India and abroad have emphasised the need for this provision, in addition to the mandatory wearing of helmets for all two-wheeler occupants — which is currently enforced, to reduce deaths and serious injuries. Two-wheeler riders are among the most vulnerable road users after pedestrians and cyclists, as they have little to no protection. 'Since ABS has been a successful intervention to reduce the risk of road crashes and fatalities involving two-wheelers and fatalities, this should be a feature in all motorised two-wheelers above 50cc,' said David Ward of Global New Car Assessment Programme at a conference on 'Vehicle and Fleet Safety' at the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE). Safe technological systems, including ABS for all two-wheelers, cannot be ignored, he added. Road safety expert Rohit Baluja highlighted the need to include two-wheelers in transport planning since they constitute 74% of all vehicles in India and 44% people killed on roads are two-wheeler occupants. 'Today, we only talk about putting helmets on two-wheeler riders. Is the helmet the only answer? Has anyone spoken about the transportation planning to reduce the number of these two-wheelers in the country? Two-wheelers are sandwiched between other vehicles due to poor traffic and transport planning... Powered two-wheelers destroy road discipline of all users and there is a need to address their requirement while planning and building roads,' Baluja said. He added that there is a need to have dedicated driving lanes for two-wheelers. President emeritus of International Road Federation, K K Kapila, said two-wheelers are the lifeline of major cities, despite improvement in public transport, and the only solution is to find ways and means to make them safe with use of technology.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Experts call for dedicated two-wheeler lanes, stricter traffic law enforcement
New Delhi: Road safety experts on Friday emphasised the need for dedicated lanes for two-wheelers and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to enhance rider safety and reduce accidents. Addressing an event here, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) President Rohit Baluja said electric two-wheelers are about 44 per cent of the total two-wheelers in the country. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan suspends Simla pact: What it means & who's affected What is India's defence muscle if it ever has to attack? Can Pakistan afford a full-scale war with India? "What needs to be done is have dedicated driving lanes for them, this will help in rider safety and avoid crashes as they are the most vulnerable road users along with pedestrians," he said. Baluja said India accounts for the highest number of fatal road accidents with 4.8 lakh road crashes each year resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The government's top priorities are road safety, expansion of safe highways, vehicle safety, and bolstering electric vehicles, he added. International Road Federation(IRF) president Emeritus K K Kapila said two-wheelers are the lifeline of major cities in the country, despite improvements in public transport. Live Events The only solution is to find ways and means to make them safe through the use of technology, Kapila added. Hero Motocorp Ltd Executive Advisor Harjeet Singh said most two-wheeler riders know that flouting traffic rules can lead to accidents, they still choose to violate rules. What is needed, he stressed, is a change in mindset, better education, and strict enforcement of traffic laws.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Govt plans to launch safety rating for trucks and CVs
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is planning to introduce a safety assessment rating system for trucks and commercial vehicles, mirroring the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). This initiative is aimed at enhancing vehicle production quality and safety. The government is already working on safety standards for battery-operated e-rickshaws to address existing safety concerns and boost employment. These announcements were made during a two-day workshop on Vehicle and Fleet safety organised by the New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), where discussions focused on improving vehicle safety worldwide and in India, with the goal of reducing road accidents and fatalities. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said, 'The idea is to encourage manufacturers to improve the production quality making vehicles more safe . The ministry is also addressing the working conditions of truck drivers, with plans to regulate their working hours, which currently extend to 13-14 hours a day. To combat the shortage of truck drivers, the government intends to establish 32 state-of-the-art driving institutes across the country. Air conditioning in driver compartments has already been mandated, and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are also being implemented to support drivers. Safety challenge Dr. Rohit Baluja, President of IRTE, said 'The Two day Workshop will review progress in vehicle safety worldwide and in India since 2000 and the priority actions needed to achieve further improvements by 2030 and beyond. In particular, the meeting will examine efforts to improve automobile safety worldwide by reviewing the progress made by the G20 major economies, including India, to implement the Global Plan vehicle safety recommendations and feature special sessions on fleet and motorcycle safety.' India faces a significant challenge with road accidents, accounting for a high number of fatal crashes each year. There are 4.8 lakh road crashes each year resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. The government's focus on road safety, safe highways, vehicle safety, and electric vehicles is aimed at addressing this critical issue.
