India faces a significant road safety crisis, with over 4.5 lakh road accidents recorded every year. This alarming statistic not only represents a public health emergency but also drains approximately 5% of India’s GDP. Even more distressing is the loss of 1.6 lakh lives annually due to these accidents.
Young Indians, who constitute a vital segment of our economy, are involved in 70% of these accidents. Furthermore, nearly 50% of road fatalities—about 74,000 deaths—occur among two-wheeler riders, and 32,000 pedestrians lose their lives each year.
To address this crisis, leveraging innovative technologies is essential. The integration of connected vehicles with advanced safety technologies provides a powerful solution for enhancing road safety:
1. AI-Enabled Video Telematics:
o Inside View: Monitors driver distraction, seatbelt usage, drowsiness, and other in-cabin activities, ensuring drivers remain attentive and alert.
o Outside View: Offers a comprehensive 360-degree view with an AI engine that conducts real-time monitoring, aiming to prevent accidents by detecting potential hazards around the vehicle.
2. Journey Risk Management: This technology utilizes historical data and AI-ML powered algorithms to identify and manage high-risk zones. By predicting and preventing accidents in known danger areas, it facilitates proactive risk mitigation.
3. Driver Behaviour Management Technology: This system monitors and analyses driving patterns, detecting harsh driving, over speeding, and continuous driving. By providing actionable insights and feedback, it promotes safer driving habits and reduces the likelihood of accidents.
4. Voice-Enabled Commands: By allowing drivers to operate the vehicle using voice commands, this technology ensures they maintain their focus on the road, minimizing distractions caused by manual controls and contributing to overall road safety.
5. Helmet Detection Technology: For two-wheeler safety, helmet detection systems ensure riders adhere to safety protocols, significantly reducing head injuries and fatalities.
Passenger vehicles are increasingly adopting these technologies to enhance safety, but commercial vehicles still lag behind in integrating them. Given the rising demand for last-mile delivery in sectors like quick commerce, food delivery, and logistics—with stringent service level agreements (SLAs)—the risk on the roads is escalating. These sectors, driven by high-paced operations, require robust safety measures to reduce their vulnerability to accidents.
OEMs and the transportation sector must recognize their role in advancing vehicle safety across all vehicle categories. By adopting these innovative technologies, they can significantly reduce accidents and fatalities, fostering safer roads for everyone.
Let’s work together to embrace these technological advancements and make our roads safer, protecting every journey.