What is the order issued by the Mumbai traffic police on seatbelts?
Police on October 14 issued an order through a press note informing the general public that they will fine motorists who do not wear seatbelts from November 1. This means passengers in the rear seats of cars will also have to wear them.
Is there a new law in place or is an existing law being implemented?
An existing law is being strictly implemented from Tuesday.
What does the existing law say on wearing seatbelts?
Action for not wearing seatbelts is mentioned under section 194 B (1) of the Motor Vehicles (Amended) Act 2019. “Whoever drives a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt or carries passengers not wearing seatbelts shall be punishable with a fine of Rs 1,000, provided that the state government may by notification in the official gazette exclude the application of this subsection to transport vehicles to carry standing passengers or other specified classes of transport vehicles,” reads the section.
Does that mean car passengers without seatbelts will be fined Rs 1,000?
No. “As per the Maharashtra government notification on the MV Act, a fine of Rs 200 will be imposed for all passengers of a car who are not wearing a seatbelt,” said a police official. Instructions were given Monday to all Mumbai traffic police divisions to impose a fine of Rs 200 on motorists for not wearing seatbelts.
