Government proposes mandatory airbag for front passenger on all cars

MUMBAI: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed mandatory implementation of airbags for the co-driver, or front passenger, on all cars in addition to steering-mounted driver airbags.

For existing models, the front passenger airbag will be mandatory from 1 April 2021 while for new models it will be mandatory from 1 June 2021, according to a notification dated 28 December.

The ministry modified the standard requirements applicable to M1 category of vehicles to include passenger airbags as a standard fitment. M1 category means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.

Airbag for the driver’s side is mandatory in all cars since July 1, 2019.