Survey highlights rising demand for ADAS amid safety concerns on Indian roads

A new survey by HERE Technologies - Safer Cars, Safer Roads, is revealing stronger road safety concerns in India and a desire for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) on the part of drivers to improve levels of safety. However, a survey reveals an urgent need for improvements to India’s road infrastructure and safety technology, which contribute to the country’s high accidents.

Two-wheeler riders are subjected to high accident rates and safety concerns

Of the 54 percent of survey respondents who have been involved in a road accident in the past two years, road safety in the country is at a worrying point. However, for two wheeler riders, who comprise 91 per cent of respondents, the situation is particularly alarming. In fact, 80 per cent of them say they feel unsafe on the roads, in line with India’s National Crime Records Bureau data that lists two-wheelers as the most at risk mode of transport by their rate of fatalities.

The perception and reality of road safety discrepancy

However, while 49 per cent of participants believe that Indian roads are relatively safe, 98 per cent agree that accidents pose a risk. This contrasts with the fact that reckless driving, bad roads, and distracted driving are the leading causes of accidents.

ADAS growing by the demand to enhance safety

There is a strong case for ADAS as 91 percent of respondents said ADAS is an essential requirement to improve road safety. Adoption remains low, and 49 percent of respondents still have ADAS-free vehicles, yet 82 percent said they would buy ADAS-equipped vehicles if given the chance. This provides automakers with an opportunity to cater to the burgeoning ADAS market for safety considerations as buyers increasingly prioritize safety over factors including vehicle brand and manufacturing origin.

Automated technologies are trusted and are called for government involvement

More and more people now accept the ADAS, as 87% of respondents believe that ADAS can substantially increase road safety, and 79% have trust in the technology’s ability to decide. In fact, 87 percent also support government involvement in promoting ADAS during future road safety standards.

Industry perspectives

The struggle to integrate ADAS and lower fatalities (both human and otherwise), they say, requires collaboration between experts from HERE Technologies, AWS, and Counterpoint Research. HERE Technologies’ Abhijit Sengupta emphasized the company’s intention to increase road safety through location intelligence, as well as work with both policymakers and automotive manufacturers to bridge the gap between awareness, and adoption of ADAS in India.