In an important move towards bolstering road safety, the Ministry of Road Transport is set to issue a new notification mandating the installation of rear seat belt alarms in all cars. This decision follows the expiration of a previous draft notification reported on November 7 last year, signaling the government’s renewed commitment to ensuring passenger safety.
The forthcoming notification will focus solely on the introduction of rear seat belt alarms, a feature designed to encourage passengers in the back seat to buckle up. Car manufacturers will be given a six-month window from the date of the final notification to incorporate this safety feature into all new car models.
This initiative was partly sparked by the tragic accident that led to the death of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry, who was found not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. While the earlier proposal also included mandatory three-point rear seat belts and the installation of six airbags, it did not proceed as planned, resulting in the lapse of the entire notification.
Currently, cars are required to have a seatbelt reminder system for the driver and front passenger. However, despite regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act imposing a Rs 1,000 fine for rear seat passengers not wearing seatbelts, compliance remains low. This is due to a lack of awareness among the public and infrequent enforcement by traffic police.
With the implementation of rear seat belt alarms, the government aims to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities among rear-seat passengers, underscoring the importance of safety measures for all occupants of a vehicle.
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