Attention Mumbaikars! Seatbelts mandatory for all car passengers from today

From Tuesday onwards, wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all car passengers. As per Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP) notification, every passenger sitting inside a car will have to compulsorily wear a seatbelt while travelling.

As per the traffic authorities, they will be checking every car to make sure they are wearing a seatbelt.

Strict action against the violators 

"It is for their own safety. If found not wearing the seatbelt, strict actions will be taken against them," said an official. 

Initially, only the driver was obliged to this rule of wearing a seatbelt. However, after the former Tata Sons ex-chairman Cyrus Mistry's death in a car accident, the authorities made it mandatory for all the passengers. During the investigation of Mistry's death, it was known that he, who was sitting in the back seat of his SUV, was not wearing the seatbelt.

Reports suggest that in the absence of the seatbelt, the passengers in case of an accident will not have anything to hold. This way their body will fling into the air, possibly hitting severally and thereby fatally injuring them. 

MTP on October 14 had provided time for all motorists to 'install' seatbelts in cases where some vehicles did not have the facility, especially in the back seats. They were given time till November 1 for the same.

No additional personnel to check seatbelts

As per local traffic authorities, the traffic personnel who are assigned to check license, vehicle papers and helmet among motorists, will be assigned to check the seatbelts as well.

"There won't be additional personnel for this, but the ones already deployed at traffic points will be in-charge of this additional check up. In case the vehicle does not have the facility of seatbelts, are not aware about it will be informed and ask to oblige by this rule - for their own safety," said an official. 

In case of defaulters, who are found not abiding by the said rules, action will be taken under section 194(B)(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. As per the section, the defaulters will have to pay a fine of Rs. 1000.