New vehicles in India could soon be equipped with technology that enables them to "communicate" with one another, allowing drivers to receive advance warnings about potential crashes, sudden braking, and other road hazards. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, paving the way for the phased introduction of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems from 2028. The move is aimed at improving road safety by enabling vehicles to exchange critical information in real time.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle, or V2V, technology allows nearby vehicles to wirelessly share data such as speed, direction, location, braking status, and other driving conditions. By continuously exchanging this information, vehicles can alert drivers or activate onboard safety systems when a potential collision or hazardous situation is detected. Unlike traditional safety features that rely on cameras, radar, or sensors to detect nearby obstacles, V2V communication works by transmitting data directly between vehicles, allowing them to "see" beyond physical obstructions and respond more quickly to emerging risks.
A common example illustrates how the technology works. Imagine driving on a busy highway when a car several vehicles ahead suddenly brakes because of an accident or obstacle. A large truck between the two vehicles blocks your view, making it impossible to see the incident ahead. With V2V communication, the braking vehicle would instantly send a wireless alert to surrounding vehicles. Your vehicle would receive the warning even before the hazard comes into sight, giving you valuable extra seconds to slow down, change lanes, or prepare for emergency braking. Those few seconds can significantly reduce the likelihood of rear-end collisions and chain-reaction crashes.
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The proposed rollout is expected to be phased, allowing vehicle manufacturers time to integrate the required communication hardware and software into new models. V2V systems are designed to complement, rather than replace, existing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. When combined, these technologies can create a more comprehensive safety network, enabling vehicles to make better-informed decisions based on information received from surrounding traffic rather than relying solely on onboard sensors.
Beyond preventing collisions, V2V technology has the potential to improve overall traffic efficiency and emergency response. Vehicles could exchange alerts about slippery roads, dense fog, roadworks, stalled vehicles, or emergency vehicles approaching from behind. Such real-time communication could help drivers adjust their speed earlier, reduce sudden braking, minimise traffic congestion, and improve the flow of traffic on busy roads. As connected vehicle technology evolves, V2V systems may also work alongside Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication, allowing vehicles to receive information from traffic signals, toll plazas, and other roadside infrastructure.
The draft notification marks another step in India's efforts to adopt intelligent transportation technologies and strengthen road safety standards. India records one of the highest numbers of road accidents globally, making the adoption of advanced safety technologies an important policy priority. If the proposed amendments are finalised, V2V communication systems could begin appearing in new vehicles from 2028 as part of a phased implementation strategy. The ministry is expected to seek stakeholder feedback before issuing the final rules, after which manufacturers will have to comply with the new technical requirements within the prescribed timelines.
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