Govt issues draft rule for V2V system in new vehicles:Cars to communicate with each other; early alerts at blind turns

Imagine your car is approaching a blind turn where an oncoming vehicle cannot be seen. Suddenly, the car warns you of a possible collision. The Central Government is preparing to make such technology mandatory in new vehicles to improve road safety. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft amendment to the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The proposal would make Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems mandatory in vehicles manufactured from 01 October 2028. The rule will apply to Category L vehicles (two-wheelers, e-scooters and auto-rickshaws), Category M vehicles (cars, SUVs, taxis and passenger buses), and Category N vehicles (pick-ups, trucks and other goods vehicles). Vehicles fitted with this system from 01 October 2027 must comply with the AIS-230 standard. The government has invited suggestions and objections to the draft until 23 August. What is the technology, and how will it change driving? 1. What is Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) technology? Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) is a wireless communication system. It allows vehicles on the road to share information such as their location, speed, direction and braking with one another. This enables vehicles to detect each other’s presence in advance. 2. How will this technology work in vehicles? Every vehicle equipped with V2V technology will continuously transmit Basic Safety Messages (BSM). Nearby vehicles will receive these messages and assess the risk of a collision. If there is a danger, the driver will receive an immediate warning. In some advanced vehicles, the system will also be able to apply emergency braking automatically. 3. What is the biggest benefit, and when will it be introduced? The system will provide early warnings at blind bends, road junctions, in fog, when vehicles are hidden behind large trucks, or when another vehicle brakes suddenly. It is expected to reduce rear-end crashes as well as accidents at junctions and blind spots. The proposal is to make the system mandatory in all vehicles manufactured from 01 October 2028. 4. What are the challenges and concerns? According to technology experts, the wireless communication system may also face challenges such as cyberattacks, data theft and location tracking. For this reason, strong cybersecurity measures and data protection standards will be essential when the technology is implemented.