Global NCAP to launch ‘Stop The Crash’ campaign in India next week

Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP), the UK-based charity that conducts crash safety tests on cars across the world, is to host its first-ever ‘Global NCAP World Congress’ in New Delhi, India in partnership with Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE)   from September 26-29 . On September 26 it will launch the ‘Stop The crash’ Campaign in India as India has the maximum fatal road accidents in the world.

During its World Congress, GNCAP, an independent charity focused on international consumer-orientated vehicle safety initiatives, will bring together the community of New Car Assessment Programmes (NCAPs) worldwide to share experiences about independent consumer vehicle safety ratings. The meeting will also provide an 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.””

According to Dr Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), which is the partner host of the GNCAP World Congress in India, “The major highlight of the World Congress will be the launch of the 'Stop The Crash' campaign. The campaign will rally for early adoption of crash avoidance safety systems like electronic stability control as standard across four-wheelers. The campaign will be launched at the annual NCAP Global World Congress, which will be held in India this year in partnership with the IRTE - Institute for Road Traffic Education.”

Encouraging adoption of AEB
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 says it strongly supports the Indian government 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 David Ward, secretary general of Global NCAP and chairman of the Stop the Crash Partnership.

The launch of the campaign will take place at the Buddh International Circuit, India's only F1 track and will be accompanied by live demonstrations of safety systems. The demonstrations will include a showcase of how much safer cars can get with the likes of ESC or electronic stability control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) . The demonstrations will also showcase ABS for two wheelers, Ward added.

“The Delhi World Congress will facilitate a high-level dialogue on a global roadmap for vehicle safety with 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 Ward.

“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 Ward.

The World Congress will also include an International Roundtable: 'Building a Global Market for Vehicle Safety' on September 27-28 . This will feature six discussion sessions as follows:

Session 1 – Vehicle Safety & the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Session 2 – The Role & Development of NCAPs in Emerging Markets

Session 3 – Progress Report – Safer Cars for India

Session 4 – Priorities for Motorcycle Safety

Session 5 – Fleet Safety – A Catalyst for Five-Star Safety

Session 6 –  A Road Map for Vehicle Safety – What are the major trends and opportunities to 2030?

“Eminent speakers at the Congress will include Prince Michael of Kent, Lauchlan McIntosh, chairman of Global NCAP, David Ward, Secretary General, Global NCAP, Dr Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, Secretary General, ASEAN NCAP, Alberto Escobar, Board Member, Latin NCAP & Manager Public Affairs Chile Automobile Club, Philip Purnell, Head of Public Affairs, Automobile Association of South Africa, Walter Nissler, Chief of Vehicle Regulations & Transport Innovations Section, UN Economic Commission for Europe, John Chatterton Ross, Director Public Affairs, Federation International de Motorcylisme, Michael Woodford, executive chairman, Safer Roads Foundation, and Edwin Bastiaensen, Secretary General, International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association.

“From India, Joint Secretary Abhay Damle, G K Pillai, former Union Home Secretary and Advisor IRTE, are expected to participate along with representatives from Indian automobile manufacturing associations and NGOs working for road safety. A video message from Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport will be another major highlight of the Congress,” said Dr Baluja.

Presentation of the 2018 Global NCAP awards will be part of the Congress.