Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) , a UK-based charity that conducts crash safety tests on cars across the world, which is hosting its first ever ‘Global NCAP World Congress’ in New Delhi, India in partnership with Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) today launched the ‘stop The crash’ Campaign in India as it accounts for maximum road accident fatalities in the world.
Mr Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary , Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) while launching the initiative said ” Advanced Safety features in all vehicles in India as vehicle safety cannot be confined to luxury vehicles only . Features like Anti Lock braking have already been mandatory in Two wheeler s and by next month (October 2018) all new cars will have pedestrian safety feature including new design of the bonnet to reduce impact on pedestrians during accidents”
” India does not have Bharat New Car Assessment Program(BNCAP) but we are implementing all safety features in our vehicles with active support of vehicle manufacturers. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) will be incorporated in new vehicles between year 20102 and 2023.ABS and automatic headlights for Two wheeler s has already been mandated ” said Mr Damle
“By the year 2022 most of our vehicle safety will be at par with global standards and some safety features may surpass United States safety standards even. But real challenge is bringing in maximum safety at affordable cost so that cost of vehicles does not go up steeply. ” said Mr damle.
“‘Stop The Crash’ initiative was launched at Budh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida, India’s only F1 track accompanied with live demonstrations of advanced crash avoidance technologies that are capable of preventing many types of vehicle collision before they happen. The demonstrations included showcase of how much safer cars or Two wheelers can get with the likes of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) for Two Wheelers “ said Mr. David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP and Chairman of the ‘Stop the Crash’ Partnership at launch of the initiative in India.
STOPTHECRASH is a multi-stakeholder partnership led by Global NCAP, the award winning international road safety charity, campaigning for the widest availability of these road safety technologies worldwide.
“GNCAP, an independent charity focused on international consumer-orientated vehicle safety initiatives is hosting it’s first ever World Congress in India to provide a unique opportunity to assess the contribution that safer vehicles can make to the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Said Mr. Ward
The ‘Stop The Crash’ program will also encourage the adoption of autonomous braking systems, a technology that is known to greatly reduce the risk to both the car in question and other vehicles or vulnerable road users around it in case of a detected crash/obstacle. Global NCAP strongly supports the Indian Government’s mandating Anti Lock Brakes and automatic headlights for motorcycles. New two wheelers sold in India greatly outnumber the number of cars sold in the country and safer two wheelers can greatly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on Indian roads. “Said Mr Ward,
“The main aim of World Congress being held in Delhi is to facilitate high level dialogue on a global roadmap for vehicle safety with the automobile manufacturers, senior policy makers, road safety experts, and fleet managers. A key theme of the World Congress will be how NCAPs worldwide have succeeded in building a market for safer cars by raising consumer awareness of the critical safety choices they make when buying a new vehicle. The experience of NCAPs in South East Asia and Latin America and their relevance to similar emerging markets in India and Africa will also be discussed.”” Said Dr Rohit Baluja , President, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) which is partner host of GNCAP World Congress in India .
“Some of the subjects that will be discussed during the world congress will be Vehicle Safety and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, The Role and Development of NCAPs in Emerging Markets, Priorities for Motorcycle Safety, Safer Cars for India, Fleet Safety – A Catalyst for Five Star Safety, A Road Map for Vehicle Safety – Major Trends & Opportunities to 2030”said Mr. Ward.
“Eminent Speakers at the Congress will include His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Michael of Kent , Mr Lauchlan McIntosh, Chairman of Global NCAP, Mr David Ward, Secretary General, Global NCAP , Dr Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, Secretary General, ASEAN NCAP, Mr Alberto Escobar, Board Member, Latin NCAP & Manager Public Affairs Chile Automobile Club,, Mr Philip Purnell, Head of Public Affairs, Automobile Association of South Africa, Mr Walter Nissler, Chief of Vehicle Regulations & Transport Innovations Section, UN Economic Commission for Europe, Mr John Chatterton Ross LLB (Hons), Director Public Affairs, Federation International de Motorcylisme, Mr Michael Woodford, MBE Executive Chairman, Safer Roads Foundation, Mr Edwin Bastiaensen, Secretary General, International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association” said Dr Baluja.
“From India Joint Secretary Mr. Abhay Damle ,Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Mr. G. K. Pillai IAS Retd, Former Union Home Secretary and Advisor IRTE are expected to participate along with representatives from Indian automobile manufacturing Associations and NGO’s working for road safety. A video Message from Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation in the Government of India will be another major highlight of the congress” said Dr Baluja. Presentation of 2018 Global NCAP awards will be part of the Congress
