Seat Belts Compulsory For Passengers In Four-Wheelers In Mumbai From Today

Mumbai, 1st November 2022: From today, everyone travelling in a four-wheeler in Mumbai will have to wear a seat belt. This rule of the traffic police has been made mandatory for all passengers, including four-wheeler drivers.

Penal action regarding mandatory seat belts will be taken from 11th November. During this period of ten days, public awareness is going to be created by the transport department, and time has been given for every car to wear seat belts at the rear.

The transport department has given a deadline of 15 days to the passengers in the vehicle that did not have a rear seat belt system. This period ended yesterday (October 31). Therefore, from today, four-wheeler drivers who do not have seat belts will be given notice by the traffic police.

On the other hand, the Mumbai Taximen’s Union has stated in a letter sent to the Joint Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, that this central motor vehicle rule is invalid while opposing the action after the traffic police made seat belts compulsory in four-wheelers from November 1. Seat Belt policy enforcement should not be compared to black-and-yellow taxis. It has also been explained that there are endless difficulties and some issues which are impossible to implement.

There are two seatbelts provided for rear-seat passengers. Out of the three passengers sitting in the back, even the passenger sitting in the middle seat has been made mandatory to fasten the seatbelt.

Mumbai Taximen’s Union has stated in a letter sent to the Mumbai Police Commissioner that the central policy should not be compared with private taxis. The taxi accident rate is zero in the Mumbai metropolis. The average speed of a vehicle in the city is less than 12 kmph. Taking these issues into consideration, the letter has requested that seat belts should not be made compulsory for rear-seat passengers and that this Central Motor Vehicle Rule should not be applied to black and yellow taxis.