Poor Performance Of India's Most Popular Cars In Crash Test Shows Why Accidents Are Not Always About Bad Roads

Recently it was reported that two of the most popular cars of Maruti Suzuki -- WagonR and Alto K 10 performed poorly during a crash test carried out by Global NCAP.

In the crash test, WagonR scored zero out of five stars for child occupant protection, and one star for adult occupant protection.

Global NCAP

Two Maruti Suzuki cars get zero stars

Alto K 10 also scored a zero for child occupant protection, it scored two stars when it comes to adult occupant protection.

Global NCAP rates vehicles from zero to five based on their safety features and automobiles with a higher rating are considered safer for occupants.

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 showed a stable structure and marginal to good protection for adult chest to head in the frontal impact, but it showed weak protection to the chest in the side impact. The WagonR also offered weak chest protection for the driver despite the improvements in the restraint systems by Maruti Suzuki since the previous version of the model was tested by Global NCAP.

Global NCAP

Not a new problem

While the poor score is shocking, and concerning for car owners and potential buyers, it is not a surprise at all.

That is because ever since the UK-based Global NCAP started crash testing cars in India in 2014, most of the vehicles tested have performed poorly.

Global NCAP¡¯s updated crash test protocols include assessments of frontal and side impact protection for all tested models as well as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and pedestrian protection.

This year Global NCAP has achieved the milestone of testing 50 Indian cars, but noted that although there has been some limited improvement, they are yet to see this safety commitment deployed in the most popular Maruti Suzuki models.

Global NCAP

Poor safety record, more lives lost

This is particularly worrying as road accidents are the biggest cause of unnatural deaths in India.

Every year, approximately 1.5 lakh people die on Indian roads, which translates, on an average, into 1130 accidents and 422 deaths every day or 47 accidents and 18 deaths every hour.

Why passenger safety is overlooked

Most of these deaths have been blamed on poor roads, rash driving and other factors, the safety record of the car involved often gets overlooked.

In an effort to remain competitive in the ultra-price-conscious entry-level car segment, manufacturers often resort to cutting corners, which means that the safety of occupants is compromised.

BCCL

This includes seat belts, airbags and other safety measures that could be the difference between life and death, in case of an accident.

This has been enabled by the years of lack of strict government regulations and safety tests that the manufacturers have to undertake.

Even after the recent poor performance of its two cars, a Maruti Suzuki India spokesperson told PTI that safety is a critical issue and is therefore closely regulated by governments around the world as they are responsible for the safety of the people in their countries.

"For Maruti Suzuki also safety has always been a top priority. India's crash safety regulations are almost similar to the standards in Europe and all our models meet these regulations and are duly tested and certified by the Government of India," the spokesperson said.

In many models and variants, the company has gone well beyond government mandatory requirements and provided additional safety features like airbags, electronic stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution, Hill-Hold assist, 360 degree-view camera, Suzuki TECT platform for enhanced safety, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and a host of others, the spokesperson added.

BCCL

Bharat NCAP may change things

Things are slowly changing and with the growing awareness among Indians, manufacturers are also putting more focus on safety features.

The government has also mandated four seatbelts and six airbags on all cars in the country.

Another positive change on the horizon is the introduction of the Bharat NCAP, the India-specific car safety assessment program which has a 'Star Rating' similar to that of Global NCAP based on the performance in crash tests.

Global NCAP

Bharat NCAP was rolled out on April 1, making India only the 6th country in the world to have its own car safety assessment mechanism.

There are reports that in the future, the government may make a 4-5 start rating mandatory for all cars sold in the country.

Even Global NCAP expressed confidence that with the introduction of Bharat NCAP, carmakers in India will soon improve their safety record.

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