Safety first: Govt mulls mandatory ABS for all two-wheelers above 50cc | India News

NEW DELHI: Government is contemplating making anti-lock braking programs (ABS) mandatory for all two-wheelers with engine capability above 50cc. At current, ABS is just required in bikes over 125cc. This security characteristic helps stop wheel lock-up throughout sudden braking, enhancing management and decreasing stopping distances, particularly on slippery roads.
Experts from India and overseas have emphasised the necessity for this provision, along with the mandatory sporting of helmets for all two-wheeler occupants — which is presently enforced, to cut back deaths and critical accidents. Two-wheeler riders are among the many most weak street customers after pedestrians and cyclists, as they’ve little to no safety.
“Since ABS has been a successful intervention to reduce the risk of road crashes and fatalities involving two-wheelers and fatalities, this should be a feature in all motorised two-wheelers above 50cc,” stated David Ward of Global New Car Assessment Programme at a convention on ‘Vehicle and Fleet Safety’ on the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE). Safe technological programs, together with ABS for all two-wheelers, can’t be ignored, he added.
Road security knowledgeable Rohit Baluja highlighted the necessity to embrace two-wheelers in transport planning since they represent 74% of all autos in India and 44% individuals killed on roads are two-wheeler occupants.
“Today, we only talk about putting helmets on two-wheeler riders. Is the helmet the only answer? Has anyone spoken about the transportation planning to reduce the number of these two-wheelers in the country? Two-wheelers are sandwiched between other vehicles due to poor traffic and transport planning… Powered two-wheelers destroy road discipline of all users and there is a need to address their requirement while planning and building roads,” Baluja stated. He added that there’s a have to have devoted driving lanes for two-wheelers.
President emeritus of International Road Federation, Okay Okay Kapila, stated two-wheelers are the lifeline of main cities, regardless of enchancment in public transport, and the one answer is to seek out methods and means to make them protected with use of know-how.