Develop Stability Warning Systems In Two-wheelers, Says Anurag Jain

At the 64th SIAM Annual Convention, Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, mentioned that in order to improve road safety and reduce deaths, two-wheeler manufacturers should try and develop stability warning systems for their products. He believes that given the Indian road death statistics where two-wheelers account for 45% of road-related fatalities, technology to minimise and reduce deaths should be put into place.

He said, “The point is, (with regards to )two-wheeler safety, I don’t think we have really started looking at it, with stability, etc. Or at least, I am not aware of it. It is something that I have not studied enough. But it is something that I have personally felt from the data, with 45% deaths contributed from two-wheelers, what can we do is a question to the industry. And I am sure that the industry will come up with good answers.”

Two-wheeler stability warning systems become quite a challenge. In a four-wheeler, the sensors work cohesively in making sure that all four wheels can maintain traction at all times in the best possible manner. But more importantly, the driver doesn’t have to balance the vehicle, which a rider has to. With ever changing factors like road surface conditions, climate, riding style and number of occupants, finding some form of a system seems like a task. 

Hence, it is a noble thought and suggestion for two-wheeler manufacturers, some of whom have been working on self-balancing systems as well. However, at the core of reducing such fatalities remains use of proper, high-quality riding gear and road safety education. 

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With regards to the former, the non-usage of helmets contributes the most towards the death statistics. Poor quality and use of improper helmet size detracts from the safety objective as the fundamental principle of protecting your head goes for a literal toss. Riding gear remains a protective shield from road accidents and not a fool-proof solution. 

More so, education surrounding two-wheeler usage safety is hardly present. Basic riding skills, pedestrian safety and lack of patience lead to disastrous results. Safe riding is more important than slow riding as one can be a hazard on the road by riding extra slow as well. 

Riding two-wheelers ultimately remains a more involving affair than driving cars and stability warning systems will help but education will go further in promoting the cause.