From April 2026, all new passenger vehicles carrying more than eight people, along with buses and trucks, must have advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking (AEBS), driver drowsiness warning (DDAWS), and lane departure warning (LDWS).
The Ministry of Road Transport has proposed these rules in a draft notification. They will also apply to existing vehicle models made from October 2026. According to a media report, the ministry plans to update the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to make these safety features mandatory.
These rules aim to prevent accidents by warning drivers and automatically applying brakes if they don’t react in time.
As per the notification, both small and large buses, along with trucks made after the given deadlines, must have AEBS and stability control features. AEBS will detect possible collisions and, if the driver doesn’t respond quickly, apply brakes to reduce speed and lessen impact. LDWS will also be mandatory, alerting drivers if their vehicle unintentionally moves out of its lane.
The system will use visual, sound, or touch signals to alert drivers and help prevent accidents caused by distraction or tiredness.
The DDAWS will track the driver’s alertness by checking steering movements, lane position, and facial expressions. If the driver appears drowsy, it will give an audio warning to prevent delayed reactions, especially at high speeds.
Additionally, buses and trucks must have a blind spot detection system. This will help drivers notice pedestrians and cyclists near their vehicles, especially in blind spots, to avoid accidents.
Even with extra mirrors, crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are still common. These safety features are part of the government’s effort to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving large vehicles.
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