Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today approved the GSR notification to make 6 airbags mandatory in a car. Gadkari said on social media that to increase the safety in motor vehicles up to 8 passengers, at least 6 airbags are now mandatory. That is, now all the companies will have to provide 6 airbags in the base model of any car.
Gadkari started working on the plan to provide 6 airbags in the car from last year itself. Earlier, the ministry had made driver airbags mandatory from July 1, 2019, and front passenger airbags with effect from January 1, 2022.
It is not yet clear when 6 airbags will be made mandatory in the car. Gadkari has not yet announced the date regarding this. However, it is clear that now the car ride will become much safer. Currently, 2 airbags are available in the base variant of any car. It has one for the driver and the other for the front passenger. The car gets dual front airbags with an emergency stop signal, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD), high mounted stop lamp, impact sensing door unlock immobilizer, rear parking sensors, speed alert, seat belt reminder. Features are given.
According to some auto experts, adding 4 airbags for the rear seat passengers can cost between Rs 8,000-9,000. The cost of an airbag is around Rs 1,800. At the same time, changing the structure will cost Rs 500. The equipment and labor costs will also increase. In such a situation, the price of the car can be increased by about Rs 30,000 from all the expenses involved in 6 airbags in the entry-level model. That is, now customers will have to increase the extra budget to buy a car.
How airbags work
The airbags open to protect the head and chest of the passenger in less than a second when hit by a vehicle from the front. This prevents the body from hitting the dashboard. Yes, the airbag must be fitted with a seat belt to give you complete protection. Airbags only hurt if seat belts are not fitted. There is also a possibility of injury to the face along with breaking of the neck bone.
