Yes, you heard that right. In order to improve road safety and promote responsible travelling, Delhi Police has started a drive to fine occupants for not wearing a seatbelt while sitting in the rear seats of a car.
This drive, which has been in effect in West Delhi since 13 January 2021, traffic police will issue fine of up to ₹1,000 for not wearing rear seat belt. However, the traffic police is planning to expand it to other regions as well in the days to come.
Along with this, the traffic police will be fining motorists who do not have rearview mirrors on two-wheelers. According to the authorities, it has become a common sight among two-wheeler riders in Delhi to have vehicles without rearview mirrors.
In a recent notification, the West Delhi Traffic police, specifies that the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 has provisions for wearing rear seat belts and having rear-view mirrors installed on two-wheelers.
The Motor vehicles Act will charge a hefty fine on the driver and the front passenger for not wearing their seat belt, which has become a common practice among car users.
In case of an accident, this poses a serious risk to the passengers. As for two-wheeler users, many of them remove rearview mirrors for aesthetic reasons, this is a dangerous practice as it prohibits from keeping eye on the traffic behind them.
Deputy Commissioner (Western Range) Traffic Police, Delhi, said in the notification, "It has been observed that a very high number of two-wheeler riders have been driving with the rear-view mirrors removed across the roads of Delhi. Driving without a rear-view mirror is not only irresponsible but also dangerous since it blocks a significant field view of the driver, causing collisions with the faster moving vehicles from behind." He added, "There is also very little compliance with the provisions for use of rear-seat belts in cars. Henceforth, all T.Is are hereby directed that the special drive would be conducted against w/o rear-view mirror and w/o rear seat belt would be conducted in the jurisdiction of Western Range/Traffic Delhi w.e.f 13.01.2021.
What do you think about the new Fines and Rule for rear seat passenger safety? let us know in the comments.