- By Divanshi Sharma
- Thu, 21 Dec 2023 04:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The automotive industry of India has been going through a significant transition, specifically in terms of passenger safety. The industry has seen significant advancements when it comes to safety features not just from manufacturers but also from the Indian government. Automakers like Hyundai and Kia have taken significant steps in this area by making six airbags mandatory across their entire vehicle lineup. Earlier this year, the Indian government launched its own Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) which mainly assesses the safety of cars in India.
To further promote safety in passenger and commercial vehicles, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed the installation of an inbuilt 'moving off information system' (MOIS) in certain categories of four-wheelers passenger and commercial vehicles to reduce the possibility of collision with pedestrians and cyclists in close proximity. MoRTH in a draft titled 'Approval of motor vehicles with regard to the Moving Off Information System for the Detection of Pedestrians and Cyclists' has specified the automotive industry standard for MOIS and will be notified after public consultation.
The road ministry proposal assumes significance as the number of road accidents in India went up by an alarming 12 per cent to over 4.6 lakh in 2022, resulting in the deaths of 19 persons every hour. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has set a target to reduce the number of accidents in the country and the resulting deaths by half by 2024.
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What Is Moving Off Information Systems?
Moving Off Information System (MOIS) functions by creating a system framework that helps the driver by identifying and alerting about the presence of pedestrians and cyclists in close proximity. The MOIS system also has the ability to warn the driver ahead of a potential collision.