NHAI issued New Guidelines on Seatbelt Driving; the notification was issued on 15 March 2024, and the new rules are effective from 1 April 2025. You must also be aware of new Rules or Guidelines for Safe Driving issued by Government Authorities.
It is crucial to wear a seat belt while driving. Previously, the alarm would only sound if the driver and front seat passenger were not wearing a seat belt. However, now the alarm will go off even if the rear passenger is not wearing a seat belt. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) released a notification on March 15 requiring automaker companies to install seat belt alarms in the back seat.
This means that from April 1, 2025, it will be mandatory for all cars sold in the country to have a rear seat belt alarm. This safety feature is essential as it alerts the driver if the rear passenger is not wearing a seat belt, and the alarm will continue to sound until the passenger buckles up.
If you do not wear a seat belt, you can be fined Rs.1000 as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. This penalty applies to both front and rear passengers. However, many backseat passengers are not aware of this rule. It is important to wear a seat belt to reduce the risk of injury or death in case of an accident.
According to a survey conducted by Local Circles, 7 out of 10 rear-seat passengers in India do not wear seat belts. A global health study has shown that wearing seat belts can reduce the risk of death by 25%. Airbags can also cause serious injury without a seat belt, making it essential to wear a seat belt even when an airbag is present.
After the tragic death of Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry in a road accident, the government drafted a notification mandating three safety features in cars: seat belts, seat belt alarms, and 6 airbags. However, the proposal for 6 airbags did not go ahead and was scrapped.
