Global NCAP calls for ABS in motorcycles, driver assist features in cars

MANILA: Global New Car Assessment Program launched an initiative to promote safer driving conditions. #StopTheCrash is a life-saving campaign that calls for the standardization of key safety features in vehicles – particularly motorcycles and four-wheel cars.

As its name implies, the project aims to reduce car collisions and prevent injuries and fatalities among drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. So far, it has made waves in India, Malaysia, and more recently, in Indonesia.

“We put special focus on technologies that help protect motorcycle riders, systems like Blind Spot Warnings for drivers and ABS for riders,” said David Ward, Global NCAP President and Stop The Crash Partnership Chairman.

Global NCAP is pressuring manufacturers to make Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) a standard across all motorcycles. Car makers are likewise being pushed to equip their four-wheel vehicles with a range of safety features – including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD). 

“These are especially important safety systems throughout the ASEAN region, where motorcycle and moped riders are disproportionately represented in road traffic crashes,” Ward added.

ABS, which is already found in most modern vehicles, prevents wheel lock-up in motorcycles. It also improves their stability and deceleration. ESC, AEB, and BSD are driver assist features that prevent road accidents.

Unfortunately, these safety specs are usually seen on higher-end variants, but not on base models. With their #StopTheCrash campaign, Global NCAP intends to make these safety features more widely accessible to consumers.

Global New Car Assessment Program was a project started by Towards Zero Foundation, an independent charity based in the United Kingdom. One of its objectives is to promote the global adoption of vehicle safety standards set by the United Nations. #StopTheCrash was launched by Global NCAP in support of UN Global Goals and Decade of Action for Road Safety.

According to a report by the World Health Organization, car accidents claimed 1.35 million lives in 2016. More than half of these deaths are among motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists. By equipping motorcycles and cars with more safety features, these numbers can be greatly reduced.

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