City police started a special three-day operation to enforce the seat belt rule. The campaign follows a reopened discussion on stricter enforcement of traffic laws in the wake of the Sunday tragedy that claimed the life of billionaire Cyrus Mistry On Wednesday.
Drivers not wearing belts will also have to face the consequences. According to the police, even the passenger sitting in the seat next to the driver will have to fasten the seat belt or face the consequences.
According to Joint Commissioner of Police Mayank Singh Chavda, those violating the rule can be fined Rs 500 and arrest under section 194B of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Additionally, the municipal police commissioner issued a directive ordering all involved police officers to enforce a zero-tolerance attitude for drivers who are not wearing seat belts.
According to the city police chief’s directive, the officers must establish special checkpoints within their areas of responsibility and deliver a report detailing the results of their efforts to the relevant assistant commissioner of police. The ACP will send the same report to the DCP, who will compile it and transmit it to the joint commissioner of police (traffic) and the commissioner of police’s office.
According to the experts, it has been seen that only a small percentage of people who are driving cars use seat belts, and 90% of people who are seated next to the driver also disregard the law.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Road Accidents in India-2020 report, 407 driver fatalities and 391 passenger fatalities occurred in Gujarat in 2020 as a result of injuries caused by the failure to use seat belts.