New Delhi: The Government of India has taken a major step towards improving road safety by proposing a rule that would require all new vehicles to be equipped with Vehicle to Vehicle communication technology. The move is aimed at reducing road accidents by allowing vehicles to exchange important safety information with one another in real time.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released a draft notification that proposes making the technology compulsory for all new vehicles manufactured from October 1, 2028. The proposal applies to passenger cars, buses, trucks, commercial vehicles, two wheelers and three wheelers. Vehicles that are already fitted with the technology before then will also have to comply with the prescribed Indian standards from October 1, 2027. The draft has been published for public comments before the final notification is issued.
Vehicle to Vehicle communication, commonly known as V2V, is a wireless technology that allows vehicles to exchange safety related information without any action from the driver. Each vehicle continuously shares details such as its speed, location, direction of travel, braking status and lane position with nearby vehicles. This information is transmitted within fractions of a second, helping drivers and onboard safety systems respond quickly to potential dangers.
One of the biggest advantages of the system is that it can detect hazards that are beyond the driver's line of sight. For example, if a vehicle several cars ahead brakes suddenly, the vehicles behind can receive an instant warning even before the driver notices the situation. The technology can also alert motorists about vehicles approaching blind intersections, cars hidden behind large trucks, wrong way drivers and emergency vehicles approaching from behind.
Experts say the proposed system is different from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, which are already available in some modern vehicles. ADAS mainly depends on cameras, radar and sensors installed on the vehicle to monitor its surroundings. While these systems improve safety, they are limited by what the sensors can physically detect. Vehicle to Vehicle communication goes a step further by allowing vehicles to share information directly with one another, extending their awareness beyond obstacles and blind spots.
Globally, two main technologies are used for Vehicle to Vehicle communication. One is Dedicated Short Range Communications, while the other is Cellular Vehicle to Everything, also known as C V2X, which operates using modern mobile communication networks such as 4G and 5G. Industry experts believe Cellular Vehicle to Everything is likely to play a larger role in future connected mobility because it can support both direct communication between vehicles and wider intelligent transport services.
The government's proposal comes at a time when India continues to report one of the highest numbers of road accident deaths in the world. Officials believe connected vehicle technology can significantly improve road safety by giving drivers earlier warnings about potential hazards, increasing reaction time and supporting intelligent traffic management systems. The move is also expected to prepare the country's automobile sector for future connected and autonomous mobility technologies.
However, experts note that several challenges will need to be addressed before the technology becomes widely available. Manufacturers will need to ensure that vehicles from different brands can communicate with each other using common technical standards. Cybersecurity measures will also be important to prevent hacking and protect vehicle data. In addition, concerns related to privacy, infrastructure requirements and the additional cost of installing the technology will need careful consideration.
Despite these challenges, the proposal marks an important milestone in India's efforts to modernise road transport and improve public safety. If the draft notification is approved after consultations, new vehicles sold in the country from October 2028 will be able to exchange safety information with nearby vehicles, helping drivers avoid collisions and making Indian roads safer for everyone.