Government Issues New Car Safety Advisory for Indian Drivers

Why the Government Has Issued New Car Safety Advisory

The government has issued a new car safety advisory to promote responsible and safer driving behaviour on Indian roads. The government data from 2018 to 2022 indicates a spike in fatalities from 2020 onwards. Overspeeding was one of the leading causes behind road accident fatalities.

The number of fatalities continued to increase in 2023, with nearly 1,72,890 reported deaths due to a road accident. 2024 also witnessed a higher fatality count of 1.77 lakh, marking a 2.3% increase. It prompted the government to introduce stronger road safety rules for vehicles, with an aim to lower road traffic deaths and injuries by up to 50% by 2030.

How New Car Safety Advisory in India Helps: Key Objectives Behind This Advisory

The new car safety rules and advisory were introduced with the sole objective of making Indian roads safer for everyone. Here’s how the advisory will help Indian drivers -

Reduce the Impact of Injuries During Road Accidents

The advisory promotes consistent use of seat belts while driving and improving vehicle safety standards. These rules were designed to reduce the severity of injuries in a road accident.

Encourage Safer Driving Habits

The latest road safety rules reinforce responsible driving behaviours. such as complying with traffic rules and avoiding distractions while driving. As people start developing these healthy driving habits over time, they naturally reduce the risk of accidents. It eventually creates a safer driving environment for everyone.

Help Buyers Choose Safer Vehicles

The government introduced initiatives like Bharat NCAP so people can look beyond a car’s mileage, features, and cost when buying a vehicle. It gives crash-safety rating equal importance. This shift enables Indian consumers to choose safer vehicles that provide better protection.

Collectively, all these changes will also support long-term reduction in road fatalities. If you drive regularly, you should follow the advisory for enhanced protection.

Essential Safety Guide for Everyday Driving

This driver safety guide has been prepared in alignment with the latest road safety rules. Hence, everyone should try to follow the safety rules shared below.

Wear Seat Belts Before Driving

Before you start your car, ensure everyone is wearing their respective seat belts. Since some cars also have seat belts for rear-seat passengers, you should ask every occupant to wear one for safety. It will facilitate smooth airbag deployment in the event of an accident/collision, helping reduce the risk of severe injuries.

Eliminate Distractions While Driving

Once you’ve started driving, avoid using your mobile phone or doing any activity that may take your attention away from the road ahead. Distraction while driving is one of the biggest causes of road accidents, so ensure you avoid it.

Maintain a Safe Driving Speed

It’s one of the most crucial safe driving tips anyone can follow. Even if you’re running late for work or need to reach a place before it closes, drive within the permissible speed limits. When driving during the monsoon season or in foggy conditions, reduce your speed further to avoid collisions.

Never Ignore Warning Lights or Unusual Vehicle Behaviour

If your dashboard starts displaying warning lights, or you feel unusual vibrations, identify a burning smell, or notice changes in steering smoothness, treat them as early signs of mechanical issues.

Get your car checked by a trusted mechanic so potential issues can be addressed early. It will ensure your car always remains in good working condition, minimising the likelihood of a road accident.
 

Importance of Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance is a timeless piece of road safety advice that deserves a place in every car owner’s safety guide. A well-maintained car can respond more reliably during sudden braking, emergency manoeuvres, and other critical moments.

It will help you identify minor car issues early, so they don’t lead to sudden breakdowns or mechanical failures on the road. With regular vehicle maintenance, you can also identify worn-out components early, ensuring timely component replacement.

It won’t just extend your car’s lifespan but also make your driving experiences safer and smoother.
 

How to Handle Unexpected Road Hazards

Unexpected road hazards can show up anywhere and at any time. You cannot avoid them, but you can certainly navigate them through controlled responses. If you ever come across unexpected road hazards while driving, you can respond in the following ways –

Stay Calm and Avoid Sudden Steering Inputs

Some people make sudden steering movements the moment they see a road hazard ahead. Although aimed at avoiding a collision/accident, this instinctive reaction can make the situation even more dangerous.

The best response is to apply controlled braking while keeping the steering wheel steady. Abrupt steering movements can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Check the Surrounding Traffic Before Steering Around the Hazard

If you want to steer around a hazard, first check the inside rear-view mirror and the side mirror. It will help you determine if another vehicle is approaching from behind or travelling alongside you.

You should change direction only when it’s safe to do so, or else you may increase the risk of a collision. It’s one of the wisest traffic safety tips you can follow in such situations.

Slow Down Immediately and Prepare to Stop (If Necessary)

Once you’ve identified a road hazard, ease off the accelerator and begin controlled braking. Don’t assume that you’ll always be able to drive around the obstacle. If the road ahead is blocked or there isn’t enough space to manoeuvre safely, then bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop is a better option.
 

Penalties for Violating Traffic Safety Norms

The government has imposed strict penalties to deter people from breaking traffic safety rules. We’ve covered some common traffic rule violations and their respective financial penalties for your awareness.

Traffic Safety Violation	Penalty
Driving Without a Valid Driving License	₹5,000
Over-speeding	₹1,000 – ₹2,000 (light motor vehicles) and ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 (heavy vehicles)
Drunk Driving	₹10,000 (first offence) and ₹15,000 for repeat offence
Not Wearing a Seatbelt	₹1,000
Using Mobile Phone While Driving	₹5,000
Jumping Traffic Signal	₹1,000 – ₹5,000

Conclusion

Following road safety rules isn’t optional for drivers. If you own a car, you should follow the new car safety rules in India while driving. It will help create safer roads for everyone and minimise road accident fatalities.

Since the rules keep evolving with changing driving environments, we’ve shared the latest road safety rules and timeless safe driving tips in this blog for your convenience. Ensure you follow them to have safer driving experiences.

If you’re also concerned about your car’s safety, secure it with a Car Insurance plan that provides adequate coverage. The Comprehensive Car Insurance plan at Shriram General Insurance is one such plan that also provides a coverage personalisation option, so you can consider it for enhanced financial protection.

FAQs

1. Do rear-seat passengers also have to wear seat belts?

Yes, if your car has seat belts for rear-seat passengers, they should be worn for occupants’ safety.

2. What if I accidentally violate a traffic rule?

If you break a traffic rule, you’ll have to pay a penalty. The penalty will vary depending on the traffic rule you break.

3. Why did the government launch Bharat NCAP?

The government launched Bharat NCAP to help Indians choose safer vehicles with higher crash-test safety ratings. This choice matters because it can reduce the severity of injuries caused during road accidents, reducing road accident fatalities.

4. What car safety rules should I follow while driving?

You should always wear a seatbelt and never use a mobile phone while driving. Some additional rules include never driving with an invalid driving licence, not exceeding permissible speed limits, and being mindful of the vehicles around you when making lane changes.

5. Why has the government introduced car safety rules?

The government has introduced car safety rules to promote healthy driving behaviours. It can help create safer road environments for the driver and others in the same surroundings.