Bengaluru drivers refuse to belt up, 2 lakh cases booked
People should be aware that like the helmet is important for bikers, the seat belt is important for car drivers, says an officer.
Bengaluru: Despite the heavy traffic on Bengaluru’s roads, safety is clearly not a priority with drivers in the city. A study by a private firm has found there have been over two lakh violations of the seat belt rule until September this year. Even in the country as a whole only 25 per cent of drivers fasten their seat belts, it says.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic), R Hitendra says although the rule on fastening of seat belts is strictly enforced in the city, usually both driver and the co-passenger bother to fasten it only when sighting a traffic policeman. “If not, they really don’t bother to use it. They should be more responsible as it is for their safety,” he emphasizes.
Adds another officer, “People should know the importance of a seat belt, which saves lives in accidents. These days vehicles have a system that doesn’t allow the airbags to function if the driver or the person seated next to him doesn’t fasten the seat belt. But not many are aware of this.”
Former city traffic commissioner, M A Saleem recalls that the rule on seat belts has been strictly implemented in Bengaluru since 2012. “The traffic police are being strict in enforcement but the problem is that the fine is just '100, which is hardly a deterrent. It should be increased to ensure the rule is followed. Also 90 per cent of the people do not fasten the seat belt once they hit a highway, not realising that it is even more important to do so on it, ” he deplores.
The police point out that driving without seat belt is a major traffic violation like jumping signals, riding without a helmet, wrong parking and using mobile phones while driving/riding.
“People should be aware that like the helmet is important for bikers, the seat belt is important for car drivers,” says an officer.