
The Union Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highway has published proposed regulations that would require auto manufacturers to incorporate rear seatbelt alarm systems. The notification states that public comments on rule-making draughts must be submitted by October 5th.
Following the recent death of Cyrus Mistry, the former chairman of the Indian giant Tata Sons, in a car accident, the Centre has been considering enforcing the use of rear seatbelts. According to news accounts, he was not wearing a seat belt and was seated in the back seat.
Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road and Transport, ordered e-commerce businesses to stop selling gadgets that turn off seat belt alerts earlier this month.
By the end of 2024, Gadkari stated, his ministry wants to cut the number of fatalities from traffic accidents in half. The minister for the union cabinet also stated that the government planned to complete the draught for the requirement of six airbags in all automobiles this year.
Gadkari stated that he intended to strictly implement this law and that he would impose fines for non-compliance.
The World Bank said last year that one person dies in a car accident in India every four minutes.
Currently, front-seat passenger seat belt reminders are a requirement for all auto manufacturers.
Although Rule 138 (3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) states that rear seat passengers who are not wearing seat belts are subject to a ₹1,000 fine, most people are either ignorant of this rule or choose to disregard it. Even traffic officers rarely issue tickets to people in the back seat who aren’t buckled up.
In 2020, 15,146 people died and 39,102 were injured as a result of not using a seat belt, according to a data from the road ministry.