January 03, 2002

‘25’

WEARING OF SEAT BELT BY THE DRIVER AND THE PERSON SEATED IN FRONT SEAT OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE

    It has been reported in some sections of the Press that the specifications for the seat belts for the driver and the passenger in the front seat of motor vehicle have not been notified under Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

    In this context, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has clarified that the gazette notification No. G.S.R. 338(E) dated 26th March 1993 prescribed that w.e.f. 26th March 1994, all motor vehicles other than two-wheelers and three-wheelers (subsequently tractors were also exempted) shall be fitted with a seat belt for the driver and for the person occupying the front seat. Since then, the seat belt has become an integral part of the motor vehicles. It gets tested alongwith the motor vehicle at the time of testing of prototype by the authorized testing agencies. No separate notification specifying the standards of the front seat belt has been prescribed.

    The Ministry further clarifies that the seat belt has not been mandated in respect of motor vehicles that have been manufactured prior to March 26, 1994.