Your next car may ‘talk’ to nearby vehicles. Here’s how it could help prevent crashes

Imagine you’re driving on a highway behind a truck. A few cars ahead, another vehicle suddenly slams on the brakes. You cannot see it. Your car’s cameras cannot either.

But what if your vehicle already knew?

That is the idea behind Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, a technology that allows nearby vehicles to exchange information in real time and warn drivers about dangers even before they come into view.

The Ministry of has proposed making this technology mandatory in phases for new vehicles beginning October 2028 under draft amendments to the . The proposal aims to make Indian roads safer by enabling vehicles to share crucial information such as speed, position, direction and sudden braking.

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How exactly will cars ‘talk’ to each other?

Think of it as creating a local wireless network on the road. Instead of relying only on cameras, radar or the driver’s eyesight, vehicles equipped with V2V technology continuously broadcast information such as:

• Speed
• Position
• Direction of travel
• Acceleration or deceleration
• Sudden braking

Nearby vehicles receive this information within milliseconds, allowing onboard systems or the driver to react much earlier than they otherwise could. This ramps up the vehicle safety on busy roads, especially during night hours.

Is ADAS not enough?

Many premium vehicles today already offer (ADAS), using cameras, radar and sensors to detect obstacles. But, these systems can only “see” what falls within their sensor range.

A sharp bend, dense fog, a truck blocking your view or another vehicle several hundred metres ahead can hide a hazard completely.

V2V fills this gap by sharing information directly between vehicles, helping detect risks beyond the driver’s line of sight. Rather than replacing ADAS, the government expects it to complement existing safety systems and improve accident prevention.

Can the technology save lives?

The proposed V2V system is designed to issue alerts in several high-risk situations, including:

• Emergency braking alert
• Forward collision risk
• Unsafe lane changes
• Wrong-way driving
• Approaching ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles

The Road and Transport Ministry had constituted a Task Force for the development and implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the country with specific emphasis on . The Task Force recommended thus use of the 5.9 GHz ITS/V2X frequency range for improving road safety.

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Will every new vehicle need to have it?

All the vehicles would need to adopt the model, but not immediately. The government has proposed a phased rollout of the plan.

Vehicles already equipped with V2V systems must ensure they comply with the new AIS-230 technical standard from October 1, 2027. Meanwhile, all newly manufactured vehicles in Categories L, M and N would have to be fitted with compliant V2V communication systems from October 1, 2028.

These categories cover almost every road-going vehicle:

• L: Two- and three-wheelers
• M: Passenger vehicles, including cars and buses
• N: Commercial goods vehicles such as trucks

The phased timeline is intended to give automakers time to prepare for implementation.

What technology powers V2V?

The proposed Indian standard, AIS-230, is based on Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology.

Vehicles will communicate using the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band, which the Department of Telecommunications has already exempted from licensing requirements for intelligent transportation applications.

Besides communication, AIS-230 also specifies technical requirements covering radio performance, satellite positioning, cybersecurity, electromagnetic compatibility and the reliability of safety applications.

Instead of reacting only after a hazard becomes visible, connected vehicles can warn drivers seconds earlier, potentially preventing chain collisions, improving emergency vehicle movement and making future intelligent transport systems possible. According to the government, the framework is expected to strengthen vehicle awareness of surrounding traffic and improve road safety.

The rule is not final yet

The proposal for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in motor vehicles is currently in the draft stage. The government has invited public comments for 30 days before issuing the final notification, meaning implementation timelines or technical provisions could still change.