The Delhi Declaration announced at the Global Transport Ministers Forum on Road Safety held in the National Capital on November 13 called upon all the car manufacturers to sign up to a UN agreement on minimum vehicle safety standards, covering passive and active safety requirements, including making fitting of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems mandatory for all new vehicles by all the governments worldwide, including India.
The Forum on Road Safety was organised by the International Road Federation (IRF), a Geneva-based global road safety body working for better and safer roads worldwide was attended by Transport Ministers from various countries including Russia, Canada, Finland, Burundi, Lesotho and Luxembourg, along with the FIA President and UN Special Envoy on Road Safety, Jean Todt. The conference was inaugurated by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mr. J.P. Nadda, along with Mr. Yudhvir Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Some major countries, including Canada and Australia, have already made installation of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) mandatory in all new vehicles. This is an active safety feature designed to reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes that result from a loss of control. ESC provides traction and anti-skid support in cases of oversteering and understeering. Over-steering occurs when the vehicle continues to turn beyond the driver’s steering input because the rear end is sliding outwards. Under-steering occurs when the vehicle turns less than the driver’s steering input because the wheels have insufficient traction.
ESC systems are made up of several computer/sensor sub-components that are monitored and controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU continually retrieves information from these sensors and compiles the data to determine if any difference exists between the driver’s steering input and the vehicle’s actual direction of travel.
ESC is very effective in reducing the number of severe motor vehicle crashes involving both passenger cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). As per various studies, ESC reduces fatal single-vehicle crash risk by 49% and fatal multiple-vehicle crash risk by 20% for both cars and SUVs. It also helps prevent roll-overs. Some major car manufcaturers, including BMW, Audi, Toyota and Ford, are already producing cars fitted with ESC systems in some of their models.
“The other recommendations made by the Transport Ministers Forum include providing access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons by 2030,” said Mr. K.K. Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation (IRF).
“The Governments should commit to implement professional driver qualification frameworks, including training, certification and licensing, restricted hours of driving and working conditions with focus on addressing the main causes of accidents or crashes involving heavy commercial vehicles. They should also commit to enhance the road safety culture of all road users through road safety education in schools and awareness programmes, particularly in developing countries,” he added.