Mumbai: Following industrialist Cyrus Mistry’s death in a car accident in September this year, seatbelts were made compulsory for even backseat passengers in Mumbai.
Mumbai police took out a notification for the same — ‘compulsory use of seatbelt for motor vehicle drivers and commuters’ — on 14 October.
And though the rule came into effect on 1 November, traffic cops in the city realised that the habit will take time to cultivate and decided to go easy on the offenders for the first 10 days.
They are conducting an awareness drive first and, for now, are simply stopping cars and educating them about the new seatbelt rule. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, though, already has a rule that says whosoever drives a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt or carries passengers not wearing seatbelts can be punished.
Sub-inspector Ganesh Patil, stationed in Bandra, told ThePrint that a fine won’t be imposed till 11 November. “We are spreading awareness first. After that we will start imposing fines on offenders.”
Another factor for this grace period is logistical issues, such as dysfunctional or non-existent seatbelts in the back of taxis.
Taxis and other app-based cabs in Mumbai have been directed to install seatbelts by 11 November or be penalised, said Patil, adding that passengers who refuse to wear seatbelts will be punished too.
ThePrint spoke to some motorists out and about on Mumbai roads Wednesday — some commuting to work, some for a family outing. While in some car backseats passengers were found wearing seatbelts, most said they were not aware of the new rule. A few have welcomed the decision, but some said they believe the rule isn’t necessary within city limits.
Umesh Gala, travelling towards Borivali in his private car, was among those stopped by the police for not wearing a seatbelt in the backseat. “I was aware of the rule but did not know the dates,” he told ThePrint. “But yes, it’s a good rule and the Mumbai Police is doing a good job by spreading this awareness.”
Mayuresh Gaikwad, who owns a car he gives to drivers to drive for app-based car service Ola, flagged another problem with seatbelts in the back. The seat covers, he told ThePrint, tend to bury the hook of the seatbelt into the seat, making it difficult to wear. His family in the backseat was without seatbelts.
Ashraf Gilani and his family, though, were among those who were safely buckled in, even in the back. “It’s for our own safety. All this while we were not taking it seriously but after the accident, we are more concerned about our safety.”
Another commuter in the rear of a car stopped by the police, Jack Senthil, said that he felt the new rule was an “unnecessary” one. “I think it’s okay to have seatbelts on while on a highway for rear seat passengers. But within city limits, where the speed doesn’t go above 30-40 kmph, I personally feel this rule is unnecessary. But what to do? We will have to follow it.”
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