A recent survey by HERE Technologies, a location data and technology platform, reveals significant concerns about road safety in India and a growing demand for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The survey, titled ‘Safer cars, safer roads’, highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures, particularly for vulnerable road users like two-wheeler riders. The findings emphasise a gap between perceived road safety and the reality of accident rates, underscoring the need for increased awareness and adoption of advanced safety technologies like ADAS. “India is facing a severe road safety crisis, with an alarming 53 road accidents and 19 fatalities occurring every hour across the country. The integration of ADAS technology can significantly reduce these fatalities by helping drivers minimise accidents. To achieve the government’s goal of a 50% reduction in road accidents by 2030, it is essential for auto makers, policy makers and road safety organisations to work together and prioritize the implementation of these advanced safety technologies in vehicles,” stated Mohit Sharma, Automotive analyst, Counterpoint Research.
Key highlights of the survey
The survey indicates a high prevalence of road accidents in India, with 54% of respondents reporting involvement in a road traffic accident within the past two years. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for immediate and long-term interventions to improve road safety.
Two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable on Indian roads, with 91% of survey respondents identifying as two-wheeler riders and 80% of them expressing feeling unsafe on the roads. This finding aligns with national data that highlights the high fatality rate associated with two-wheelers, emphasising the need for targeted safety measures for this vulnerable group.
While 49% of respondents perceive Indian roads as relatively safe, a starkly contrasting 98% acknowledge the risk of accidents, highlighting a gap between perception and reality. The survey identifies reckless driving, poor road conditions, and distracted driving as the top three causes of accidents, emphasising the need for addressing both driver behavior and infrastructure challenges.
Strong support for ADAS
The survey reveals strong support for ADAS, with 91% of respondents believing it is crucial for enhancing both road and driver safety. This highlights a clear demand for more accessible and advanced vehicle safety technologies among road users. However, despite the strong support, nearly half (49%) of the respondents currently do not own ADAS-equipped vehicles, indicating a significant gap between awareness and adoption.
Despite the current low adoption rate, the survey findings suggest a positive outlook for ADAS adoption in the future. A significant 82% of respondents indicated their willingness to purchase a vehicle equipped with ADAS, signaling a substantial market opportunity for automotive manufacturers to meet this growing demand.
What led to this support?
Safety emerges as the primary motivator for ADAS adoption, influencing 78% of potential buyers, according to the survey findings. This highlights the importance of safety features in influencing purchasing decisions related to vehicles. Other factors such as technological reliability (58%) and ease of use (56%) also play a role in influencing the decision to purchase vehicles equipped with ADAS. Interestingly, factors like cost, vehicle brand, and country of manufacture were not considered as important as the safety and performance benefits offered by ADAS.
“The future of transportation is rooted in innovative technologies that prioritise safety and boost operational efficiency. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have the power to revolutionize the driving experience, ushering in a new era of safer and more secure roads. By harnessing location intelligence, ADAS can precisely map vehicle positions, help detect potential hazards and equip drivers to navigate complex situations with greater confidence. This results in fewer accidents and lives saved. Through our collaboration with transportation and automotive industry leaders like HERE Technologies, AWS is helping its customers accelerate the adoption and advancement of these transformative technologies, paving the way for a safer, more secure and efficient transportation ecosystem,” commented Anuj Jain, Strategy & Business Development Lead at AWS Automotive & Manufacturing
The survey also reveals growing trust in automated driving technologies in India, with 87% of respondents believing that ADAS can significantly enhance road safety. Furthermore, 79% of respondents expressed trust in these technologies to make safe decisions on the road, indicating growing acceptance of automated technologies within the Indian context. This positive sentiment is further reinforced by the finding that 87% of respondents support government involvement in mandating ADAS in future road safety standards, indicating public support for policy-level interventions to promote ADAS adoption.
