Latest news with #RohitBaluja
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
All two-wheelers to come with ABS from next year
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) will become mandatory for all two-wheelers sold in the country from January 1 as part of a proposed new safety regulation by the government. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is likely to issue a notification soon on the matter, said people aware of the matter. The step is aimed at arresting high incidence of road accidents involving motorcycles and scooters. It will extend the current ABS mandate-applicable only to models above 150cc-to the entire two-wheeler segment, including entry-level variants which comprise about 75% of the domestic market. ABS is designed to prevent wheel lock-up during sudden braking, reducing the likelihood of skidding and crashes. This is achieved by rapidly pushing the brakes, preventing the wheels from skidding and allowing the driver to steer around obstacles. Two-wheelers were involved in nearly 20% of India's 151,997 road accidents in 2022, according to latest available government data. "This is a long-needed measure," said Rohit Baluja, director at the Institute of Road Traffic and Education (IRTE), a non-profit organisation dedicated to road safety and traffic management. "Many pedestrian accidents are caused by abrupt braking without vehicle control." While the safety benefits of ABS are widely acknowledged, the government mandate is expected to inflate production costs for manufacturers, which is likely to be passed on to consumers in the coming months. Analysts estimate prices for entry-level two-wheeler models to rise by '2,500 to '5,000 per vehicle, potentially dampening demand in a price-sensitive segment. "Any regulation that adds cost tends to weigh on demand," said an analyst at a domestic brokerage. "This one is no different." Motorcycle models with 75cc to 125cc engines accounted for two-thirds of domestic sales in FY25, according to brokerage Nomura. Sales rose 4.6% to 9.26 million motorcycles last fiscal. Scooter sales rose 17% to 6.85 million units in the same period. "Two-wheelers account for 44% of road fatalities in India. Hence, improving their safety is a major priority and introduction of ABS for all two wheelers was much needed," said KK Kapila, president emeritus at International Road Federation, a global road safety body. He said the cost factor will not be much while stressing that safety is much more important. "Two-wheelers are the lifeline of major cities in the country despite improvement in public transport and we have to live with them. The only way to reduce road accidents is to find ways and means to make them safe with use of technology," he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
All two-wheelers to come with ABS from next year
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) will become mandatory for all two-wheelers sold in the country from January 1 as part of a proposed new safety regulation by the government. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is likely to issue a notification soon on the matter, said people aware of the matter. The step is aimed at arresting high incidence of road accidents involving motorcycles and scooters. It will extend the current ABS mandate-applicable only to models above 150cc-to the entire two-wheeler segment, including entry-level variants which comprise about 75% of the domestic market. ABS is designed to prevent wheel lock-up during sudden braking, reducing the likelihood of skidding and crashes. This is achieved by rapidly pushing the brakes, preventing the wheels from skidding and allowing the driver to steer around obstacles. Two-wheelers were involved in nearly 20% of India's 151,997 road accidents in 2022, according to latest available government data. "This is a long-needed measure," said Rohit Baluja, director at the Institute of Road Traffic and Education (IRTE), a non-profit organisation dedicated to road safety and traffic management. "Many pedestrian accidents are caused by abrupt braking without vehicle control." While the safety benefits of ABS are widely acknowledged, the government mandate is expected to inflate production costs for manufacturers, which is likely to be passed on to consumers in the coming months. Analysts estimate prices for entry-level two-wheeler models to rise by '2,500 to '5,000 per vehicle, potentially dampening demand in a price-sensitive segment. "Any regulation that adds cost tends to weigh on demand," said an analyst at a domestic brokerage. "This one is no different." Motorcycle models with 75cc to 125cc engines accounted for two-thirds of domestic sales in FY25, according to brokerage Nomura. Sales rose 4.6% to 9.26 million motorcycles last fiscal. Scooter sales rose 17% to 6.85 million units in the same period. "Two-wheelers account for 44% of road fatalities in India. Hence, improving their safety is a major priority and introduction of ABS for all two wheelers was much needed," said KK Kapila, president emeritus at International Road Federation, a global road safety body. He said the cost factor will not be much while stressing that safety is much more important. "Two-wheelers are the lifeline of major cities in the country despite improvement in public transport and we have to live with them. The only way to reduce road accidents is to find ways and means to make them safe with use of technology," he said.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Survey to identify causes of jams at 2 S Delhi roads
New Delhi: To ease traffic snarls at two of south Delhi's busiest corridors—the Chirag Dilli intersection and RTR Marg—Delhi Traffic Police, in collaboration with Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), has launched a detailed traffic engineering survey to identify the root causes of congestion and recommend long-term solutions. While the survey on the Chirag Dilli intersection is already complete, its findings will be formally presented on June 23. The report for RTR Marg, which connects the airport corridor with the AIIMS stretch, is expected to be ready by mid-July. "Traffic engineering plays a key role in managing road infrastructure. When we conduct surveys, we try to identify the root causes of congestion. In many cases, it's not just about traffic volume but also about traffic engineering—like sudden lane expansions or contractions, missing or unclear signage, and much more. For instance, a sudden stop of one vehicle at a particular point causes a ripple effect across the entire stretch," explained IRTE director Rohit Baluja. "These aren't problems that can be solved by policing alone. They need proper traffic engineering solutions," he asserted. According to sources, some problems found at the Chirag Dilli intersection included a lack of information signs, inappropriate geometry with reference to the volume of traffic, and the need for better signal operation management. "We've initiated a detailed traffic survey of the Chirag Dilli and RTR stretches around Munirka and near Gurgaon, in collaboration with IRTE to identify engineering-led solutions. The Chirag Dilli's inspection is complete, and we expect inputs on RTR by mid-July. Based on the findings, we will involve civic agencies and draw up a coordinated plan to ease snarls on these two high-pressure corridors," said additional CP (traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Survey to find root causes of congestion at Chirag Dilli intersection, RTR Marg
New Delhi: To ease traffic snarls at two of south Delhi's busiest corridors—the Chirag Dilli intersection and RTR Marg—Delhi Traffic Police, in collaboration with Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), has launched a detailed traffic engineering survey to identify the root causes of congestion and recommend long-term solutions. While the survey on the Chirag Dilli intersection is already complete, its findings will be formally presented on June 23. The report for RTR Marg, which connects the airport corridor with the AIIMS stretch, is expected to be ready by mid-July. "Traffic engineering plays a key role in managing road infrastructure. When we conduct surveys, we try to identify the root causes of congestion. In many cases, it's not just about traffic volume but also about traffic engineering—like sudden lane expansions or contractions, missing or unclear signage, and much more. For instance, a sudden stop of one vehicle at a particular point causes a ripple effect across the entire stretch," explained IRTE director Rohit Baluja. "These aren't problems that can be solved by policing alone. They need proper traffic engineering solutions," he asserted. According to sources, some problems found at the Chirag Dilli intersection included a lack of information signs, inappropriate geometry with reference to the volume of traffic, and the need for better signal operation management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Pelajari Undo The lanes are many, and there is a visibility issue. "We've initiated a detailed traffic survey of the Chirag Dilli and RTR stretches around Munirka and near Gurgaon, in collaboration with IRTE to identify engineering-led solutions. The Chirag Dilli's inspection is complete, and we expect inputs on RTR by mid-July. Based on the findings, we will involve civic agencies wherever required and draw up a coordinated plan to ease snarls on these two high-pressure corridors, which see thousands of commuters daily," said additional CP (traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Time of India
Hit, run, repeat: 200 lives lost in 4 months in Delhi
NEW DELHI: The mowing down of a security guard by an SUV driver near Mahipalpur flyover on Sunday has brought the number of hit-and-run cases in Delhi this year to a staggering 503. Nearly 200 people were killed in these incidents - an average of 11 lives lost each week. Since 2023, about 1,500 people have lost their lives in hit-and-run cases across the national capital, revealed Delhi Police data. While 666 people were killed in 2023, the toll stood at 644 in 2024 and 190 till April 30, 2025. The data also showed that on a daily average, two persons were killed in 1,481 fatal crashes. A total of 2,810 people were injured in the incidents since 2023 - an average of three people daily. While 1,275 people were injured in 2023, next year saw 1,121 injuries. Operation Sindoor Air siren warning sounded in Chandigarh, residents advised to stay indoors J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan on high alert after Pak's failed drone attacks Conflict widens, India targets Lahore, Pindi, Karachi after foiling multiple Pakistani attacks So far this year, 414 people have been injured. According to police, there are several factors behind hit-and-runs. The most common is speeding, where drivers tend to lose control of the vehicle. Other causes include drunk driving and using mobile phones. "In hit-and-run cases, the drivers often do not stop, thinking they won't get caught or that no one would notice their vehicle number. Some also believe stopping could lead to them being beaten up," a senior police officer said. Most of the victims in hit-and-run cases were pedestrians - 343 were killed in 2023; 309 in 2024; and 92 in 2025. This was followed by two-wheeler riders, with 270 fatalities in 2023, 288 in 2024, and 88 this year. According to police, pedestrians are the most vulnerable due to various factors. These include attempting to cross busy roads quickly, speeding by vehicles, and lack of accessible foot-over bridges, leading them to cross roads directly. Jaywalking and mobile phone distraction while walking also add to the risk. Two-wheelers remain vulnerable due to the absence of dedicated lanes and riders taking shortcuts, which can lead to accidents. Special commissioner of police (traffic) Ajay Chaudhry said the department consistently organises awareness programmes aimed at educating road users and promoting safer driving habits in order to reduce the number of road accidents. Regular enforcement actions are carried out against people violating traffic rules, particularly those engaging in high-speed driving, drunk driving and other serious offences, he added. Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education, said drivers lack awareness of the legal consequences of hit-and-run cases, which needs to be addressed. He emphasised the importance of forensic analysis in solving such cases. He also suggested public awareness campaigns to encourage people to report hit-and-run incidents and, if possible, take photos of the offending vehicles. Baluja noted the absence of pedestrian pathways and encroachment of footpaths, which forces pedestrians to cross busy roads and leaves them vulnerable. For two-wheelers, the lack of dedicated lanes means they have to navigate heavy traffic, increasing risk of accidents, he added.
