Rear Seat Belts in Cars

 

The recent crash of a Mercedes car in which two persons sitting, in the rear seat died, who were not wearing seat belt, but the two persons sitting in front seat wearing seat belt survived with injuries and one may require surgery. This incident brings to highlight the requirement of wearing seat belt by all passengers. Wearing seat belt does not guarantee no injuries but may save one's life.

I have heard of excuses like, it is not required, which law or rule, it is cumbersome, it spoils clothes, it is a short journey and on and on but not a single reason given for wearing seat belts.

Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) makes it mandatory for passengers occupying front facing seats (whether front or rear) to wear seat belts. This is given in Chapter VI (Control of Traffic) rule 138, clause 3 (2) of the CMVR.

Therefore as per rules there is no ambiguity that all front facing passengers are to wear seat belts. The problem is the lack of awareness and will to follow the rules which is missing in our citizens.

In 2005 Govt of India had issued a notification making it mandatory for car manufacturers to provide seat belts not only in front seats but also in rear seats. During a drive in south Delhi as per information published about 150 challans were issued for not wearing rear seat belts in private cars and taxis in just two hours.

The issue is compounded when one puts seat cover in the vehicle and invariably if one is not careful the rear seat belts are buried in the seat cover.

Please make sure to wear seat belts in rear seats also in order to safeguard your life and ensure that seat covers do not cover seat belts in the rear..