Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication and India’s Road Safety Transition

of the expense eventually borne by consumers. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to notify the technology by the end of 2026, followed by phased implementation. Initially, V2V is likely to be mandatory only for new vehicles, with retrofitting options for older vehicles considered later.

However, technology alone will not guarantee success. Interoperability standards, data security, affordability and enforcement will determine whether V2V becomes a universal safety layer or remains confined to higher-end vehicles. Given India’s diverse vehicle fleet — from two-wheelers to heavy trucks — designing inclusive standards will be critical.

Beyond cars: buses and systemic safety reform

The V2V initiative is part of a broader safety push. The government has also highlighted deficiencies in bus design and enforcement of the Bus Body Code, noting that poorly designed buses have contributed to fatal accidents. Plans to equip buses with fire extinguishers, driver drowsiness detection systems and emergency hammers reflect a recognition that road safety requires systemic reform, not isolated technologies.

Why V2V matters uniquely for India

Globally, V2V is seen as a foundation for safer, semi-autonomous transport systems. In India, its relevance is magnified by uneven infrastructure, variable enforcement and high accident rates. If implemented effectively, V2V could reduce reliance on driver reflexes alone and introduce a cooperative, preventive layer of safety that works even when visibility, road design or policing falls short.

Conclusion

India’s planned rollout of Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication marks an important transition from reactive to preventive road safety. While challenges of cost, coverage and compliance remain, the initiative reflects a mature understanding that reducing road deaths requires real-time intelligence and collective responsibility. If executed inclusively and rigorously, V2V could become a defining pillar of India’s next-generation road safety strategy — one that saves lives not after accidents occur, but before they happen.