Here are the penalty updates about driving without seatbelts.
Know why you should wear a seatbelt while driving & the penalties of bare seat belt. Check out Kotak General Insurance's car insurance policy for more information.
Road accidents are one of the leading causes of death in India. And to avoid such frequent mishaps Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act was passed in 2019 to promote safe driving practices in the country. Passing this amendment was of utmost importance after Ministry of Road Transport and Highways data revealed that 1.5 lakh people died in road accidents in 2016 alone. 5,638 of those fatalities occurred due to the non-usage of seat belts. The toll rose to 26,896 in 2017. The amendment introduced heavy fines for violating traffic rules, such as not wearing a seatbelt while driving.
Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers in India. Let’s find out the repercussions for not doing the same.
Why should you wear seat belt while driving?
An average of 15 deaths occur daily in India due to the non-usage of seatbelts according to a study by India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki. But despite the scary statistic, many motorists still drive without buckling up. Lack of awareness of the importance of seat belts is a major reason to blame.
Seatbelts are essential safety features that protect drivers in case of accidents. Ignoring seat belts can not only put you in danger but also hurt your car insurance claims. Driving without wearing a seat belt makes you ineligible to make insurance claims or get any other insurance benefit.
Here are some of the benefits of wearing a seatbelt while driving:
• It secures you in position so you do not lose control
• It distributes the impact force over a wide area in your body
• It prevents the body from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or side windows
• It protects the vulnerable part of your body, such as the brain and spine
Repercussions for driving with no seatbelts
The Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CVMR) made it mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts when the vehicle is in motion. Non-compliance with this traffic rule can lead to a fine ofRs.1000.
Earlier, the fine only amounted toRs.100. However, it was increased toRs.1000 by the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act of 2019.
Not many know that passengers occupying the front-facing rear seat must also wear seat belts.However, the rule is only applicable to vehicles that provide rear seatbelts.
Final word
While you can buckle your seat belt to avoid any mishap, we at Kotak General Insurance cover any damages to your car, whether on-road or in the parking lot, with our comprehensive insurance policy Kotak Car Secure.
Kotak Car Secure covers own damage insurance along with a third party liability cover. Having atleast a third party car insurance is mandatory in India which is another step toward road safety by the Motor Vehicle Act. The new amended act has also increased fines for non-compliance with the same.
Wearing a seat belt protects lives and having a comprehensive insurance not only protects your car but also protects you from financial burden due to any unforeseen events. So always remember to buckle up and carry your car insurance before you hit the road to avoid any mishaps and hefty fines.
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