The state government may consider bringing in a legislation to make anti-glare technology in automobiles mandatory, to reduce night accidents caused due to blinding by lights of oncoming vehicles.
The government has been supporting the development of an automotive anti-glare technology by the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), currently in the demonstration stage.
Joint secretary of the department of heavy industry, Ambuj Sharma, told PTI the government would request industry players to implement the technology voluntarily.
"However, there is a scope for bringing in a legislation. It could also include the retrofitting aspect," he said, when asked what the government would do if the auto industry's response was not satisfactory.
Quoting WHO figures, an ICAT spokesperson said that in 2009, of the 1.17 lakh deaths due to road accidents, 70% had occurred at night.
After demonstrating the new technology developed by ICAT in a fleet of 10 vehicles across all segments last week here, Sharma said efforts are on for mass usage.
"This (anti-glare technology) has just been demonstrated and we will have to discuss this with the stakeholders (for widespread use)," he said.
The technology uses two different kinds of films to be fitted on the windscreen of the vehicle and another on the head lamp.
{{/usCountry}}The technology uses two different kinds of films to be fitted on the windscreen of the vehicle and another on the head lamp.
{{/usCountry}}A driver in a vehicle equipped with the technology does not get blinded with light from an oncoming vehicle that also uses the same technology.
"This project has been funded for Rs4 crore," Sharma said, adding it started in April last year and the tenure was for 24 months.
According to ICAT Director Dinesh Tyagi, this technology can cost about Rs 2,000 per vehicle at present but once it is commercialised it can come down to as low as Rs 500.