Safety not a priority for Indian car makers

TAKING PRECAUTION: Every new car model abroad has to undergo crash test.

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New Delhi: India is fast becoming one of the fastest growing car markets in the world. There are 30 lakh cars on Indian roads already where almost 4 lakh accidents take place every year.

So how safe are our cars?

In a crash test in developed countries, cars are slammed into each other at high speeds.

Every new car model abroad has to undergo crash test before it hits the roads. Airbags, brakes and crumple zones on the car body are tested to find out if they can keep the passengers safe or not when an accident takes place.

Surprisingly, such tests aren't compulsory in India.

"No! Crash tests aren't compulsory. Indian motor vehicle act demands only basic safety features like seat belts, rear view mirrors, head rests and bumpers," Tutu Dhawan, an auto expert, says.

While there is a move to make airbags and anti-lock braking mandatory, they will also hike vehicle prices beyond what many customers would be willing to pay.

"Technology wise we can provide, but it's a very price sensitive market. Customers want very price regulated vehicles that's why we don't provide," Mayank Pareek, GM Marketing at Maruti Suzuki, says.

Most compact cars under Rs 5 lakh don't even offer safety features at an additional cost.

Surprisingly, most big vehicles like SUV's and Vans fall under the same category, unless offered at a huge price difference. All cars costing above Rs 15 lakh include ABS and airbags in all their models.

So in India less money means less safety. But should safety by something only the rich can afford? Abroad, they've gone beyond basic safety devices in the cars.

There are cars that automatically tighten seatbelts, close windows and align seats to the safest possible position before a crash.

They also have steering wheels that vibrate violently, if the driver dozes off and inbuilt breathalysers that switch the engine off - as soon as a drunken person takes the wheel.

For India these features may seem like an exotic stuff but even less technology could spell more safety.

For example, stop driving while talking on the cell phone.