Govt to mandate advanced driver assistance features in trucks, buses

In a bid to improve the safety of heavy commercial vehicles, the government is considering to mandate advanced driver-assistance systems such as electronic stability control, automated emergency braking and driver drowsiness detection, for new heavy trucks and buses.

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said these three active safety systems that were suggested will be revolutionary as they will help avert major accidents. He said the government has decided to mandate these safety systems in new heavy trucks and buses, but has not decided on the timeline for implementation. 

The minister was speaking to the media after the Transport Development Council meeting in Delhi on Wednesday. Heavy trucks and buses play a major role in road accidents, accounting for a significant share of road fatalities and injuries.

Electronic stability control lowers the risk of rollovers and collisions by detecting and reducing skidding or sliding when a vehicle is about to lose traction, while automated emergency braking helps reduce the risk of rear-end collisions by detecting obstacles in the vehicle's path and automatically applying the brakes if the driver does not respond in time.

Fatigue among long-haul truck and bus drivers is a major factor in a significant number of road accidents. Driver drowsiness detection system monitors driver behavior like the movement of eyes, steering patterns and head movements using sensors and technologies, and alerts the driver with a beeping sound if signs of fatigue are detected. 

When asked about additional costs related to equipping new trucks and buses with these safety systems, Gadkari said safety cannot be compromised.