A couple of years ago
I wrote about airbags in my column, Good Motoring.
Airbags have now been
made mandatory for the front seats. About time! Passenger safety is of the
utmost importance.
This is the column
from years ago.
Husband; Darling!
Come see. I have got the new car. Let’s go for a drive.
Wifey goes and gets
all dressed up to go for a drive in her new car.
They get into the
car, buckle up and zoom off.
Wifey is thrilled. At
each red light Husband explains all the gadgets and gizmos in the car.
She scans the
dashboard and with a surprised look asks, “Honey I don’t see any warning about
the airbag?”
“The car only has
one!”, says Husband.
She coughs chokes,
splutters and snarls. “You cheap b*@#&*! Always thinking about yourself.
You got an airbag. Not a thought about me. What happens in case of an accident?
I’ll die! You want to kill me!”
“Take me home right
away. And take the damn car back to the dealer!”
As usual there seems
to be some confusion on this issue.
Two years ago the
Road Transport Ministry had proposed that two airbags be mandatory on all cars.
A very sensible decision!
Somehow, somewhere
along the way this clause was ignored. Maybe it was thought not necessary or
just got left out by mistake. Then in a meeting with the auto industry it was
decided that the driver’s side airbag was mandatory. This was AIS-145
Notification and applied to cars in the M-1 category, taxis and entry level
cars. Doesn’t make sense!
Tests over the years
have shown, in case of a crash, unconsciously, the driver tries to save
himself, regardless of who else is in the car with him. In these circumstances
the driver has an airbag and nothing for the co-driver. So much for safety!
It is now being
considered to bring in a clause for at least two frontal airbags.
While buying a car
the Indian buyer is more interested in gadgets and gizmos. Please pay attention
to safety fitments. Airbags and seatbelts save lives. Road conditions on our
roads are the most dangerous in the world. You need front airbags. Side airbags
should also be made mandatory if the passenger’s safety is to be ensured.
Some years ago,
Toyota brought out a sedan, an intra-city sedan. It had no music system, no
fancy gizmos to speak of. And yes, it had only one wiper! But it had two
airbags. Cost cutting measures, but providing safety!
This was a very
conscious effort to improve the passenger’s safety. No radio. Nothing to
distract the driver’s attention!
Believe it or not,
one of the greatest distractions in the car is the music system which has now
evolved into an ‘infotainment system’. This was established 25 years or more
ago. Today, the touch screens, voice command operations, GPS and other such gizmos
surely take the driver’s attention off the road. Beware!
As of the 1st of
April, 2021, all new cars will need to have airbags for the front two
passengers. This is the Law. It is no April Fool’s joke!
‘All new cars’? What
does this mean? A car manufactured after 1st of April? What about a car
manufactured in March 2021 but with a single airbag?
If there are any
manufacturers who have cars with a single airbag, for the driver only, they may
face some problems.
It is not possible to
simply fit an airbag. Certainly not in three months. The assembly line has not
been geared for this procedure. Airbags are also expensive. This cost will have
to be factored into the manufacturing cost and the final price of the car.
It is not a simple
fitment that can be fitted after the car has been manufactured.
It leads me to
believe that the person who drafted this Law had no knowledge of airbags and
how they function.
A year’s notice would
have been more practical for the manufacturer.
And why this working
in fits and starts?
In July 2019 the Law
for the driver’s airbag was passed, please note only the driver. Did the person
who drafted this not know that there are two seats in front?
It would have made so
much sense, especially for the manufacturer.
While this Law was
being drafted, somewhere, somehow seat belts should have been mentioned.
Since the focus was
on the safety of drivers, mo’bike riders should have been included. They all
come under the same umbrella. Safety on the roads, whoever it may be, driver or
rider!
A notification has
been passed that as of 1st June only Bureau of Indian Standards, BIS, helmets
can be manufactured and sold in India.
Another very
important point; we are not a well educated motoring nation. Even the well
educated are indisciplined. There are still first time car owners and they will
not read the owner’s manual to educate themselves.
Seat belts and
airbags are two separate safety devices but must, repeat MUST be used together!
Many people are of
the impression that since the car has airbags, one need not use seat belts. No!
No! No! An airbag exploding in your face plus the force of the impact throwing
you forward may result in a very serious injury, upto and including death!
The seat belt is a
passive safety device. Once you hear the click of the lock, the seat belt is
performing the function it was designed for. It holds you securely in your
seat. The airbag is an active safety device. It works only in case of a frontal
collision. The sensors are usually placed in the front bumper.
In case of a rear end
collision, you will be thrown backwards. This is referred to as whiplash.
That’s when the headrests come in handy. They prevent your head being thrown
back and your neck from snapping!
Some cars have
adjustable headrests. They can be removed. Ladies remove them because it messes
up their hairstyle. Sardars remove them because it upsets their turbans. Better
a messed up hairstyle or upset turban than a snapped neck!
This is also when the
seat belt will hold you in your seat. So, three different safety devices, three
different functions!