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NEW DELHI: Government is looking at a technology-based solution to curb the growing menace of two-wheeler riders using mobile phone handsets while driving or performing stunts, which contribute to road crashes. The plan involves installing touch or pressure sensors on both handlebars of two-wheelers so that if the rider’s hands are off the handle/s for more than 7-8 seconds, the vehicle would automatically begin to de-accelerate, forcing the person to ride properly.TOI has learned that the plan to use technology to correct rider behaviour was discussed at length at a meeting of transport ministry officials with vehicle manufacturers recently. Officials believe that such a mechanism could significantly reduce distracted riding, particularly the practice of holding a mobile phone in one hand while navigating traffic with the other, as well as performance of stunts.Many riders continue to flout basic safety norms despite penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act. “If the vehicle itself can sense unsafe behaviour and respond, it will deter risky behaviour without requiring constant policing,” said an official. Alongside handlebar sensors, manufacturers have been urged to explore the feasibility of providing leg guards on two-wheelers. This feature can reduce the severity of lower-limb injuries, which are among the most common in motorcycle crashes. While leg guards were more common in older models, modern two-wheelers do not have them.Government data shows there has been a steep rise in the number of two-wheeler deaths – from 69,385 in 2021 to 77,539 in 2023, nearly 45% of all road deaths. Two-wheeler riders top both as victims and cause of road fatalities. According to the road transport ministry’s report, two-wheeler riders had the highest share of road deaths in 2023 while 48,181 people were killed in accidents caused by them.
