Minimum 6 airbags to be made mandatory in vehicles carrying up to 8 passengers from October 2022

Tags: National News

The Union Road Transport and Highways ministry has said it will make it mandatory for carmakers to provide a minimum of six airbags in motor vehicles that can carry up to 8 passengers for enhanced safety of occupants from October this year.

• The ministry has decided to enhance the safety features by amending the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR),1989.
•  The government has already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag with effect from July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag with effect from January 1, 2022.
• An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system which interferes between the driver and the vehicle's body during a collision, thereby preventing serious injuries.
• Airbag contains the chemical Sodium Azide. When this substance is ignited by a spark during a sudden collision, it releases nitrogen gas which can instantly inflate an airbag.