MINISTRY INTRODUCES CRASH TESTS AND SAFETY RATINGS FOR CARS

The ministry of road transport & highways (MoRTH) has announced the introduction of safety ratings for passenger vehicles through crash tests under the Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The aim is to enable consumers to make more informed choices while buying vehicles based on the level of occupant protection offered. As per MoRTH’s draft notification, these ratings will apply to the M1 vehicle category (‘motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, with gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 tonnes manufactured or imported in the country’). Vehicles will be given a star rating of one to five depending on their evaluation on three main parameters—Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection and Safety Assist Technologies. Aligned with global crash test protocols, the testing will be done at facilities in India.