Mumbai: 15 days not enough to install seat belts, say vehicle users

The new seat belt for all rule has received criticism from stakeholders such as taxi bus and truck drivers among others While many have sought more time to fix seat belts saying the 15day period was not sufficient taxi and heavy vehicle drivers have cited practical issues Taxi drivers have pointed out that while only two seat belts are available in the rear seat three passengers are allowed Meanwhile truck drivers said many heavy vehicles do not have a seat belt even for the driver or their helpersCabbies fear that this new rule could turn into another tool of harassment of poor taxi drivers who are already reeling under various regulations and fuel hike pressures They also said that there should be discussions before implementing such schemesAlso read Mumbai Citizens activists point at lack of clarity in new seat belt rulelsquoNeed discussionrsquoMumbai Taximenrsquos Union leader Anthony Quadros said ldquoWe seek discussions before this is implemented The average speed of vehicles within city limits is less than 12 kmph and the majority of passengers travel for short distances A major point of contention is that taxis are allowed to carry four passengers This means three people occupy the rear seat but the manufacturers provide only two seat belts for it So where does the third passenger sitrdquoldquoTraffic police should not compare private cars with taxis The accident ratio of taxis is almost nil except for minor collisions In this context we believe that it should not be made mandatory for passengers in the rear to wear seat beltsrdquo he said adding ldquoWe have sought a meeting with the traffic police in this regardrdquo midday also got in touch with private cab aggregators While Uber said they were taking steps to ensure compliance Ola did not respond to emails and phone calls The Uber spokesperson said ldquoSafety is paramount at Uber Wersquove been educating drivers about the importance of having accessible and functional rear seat belts Wersquove also started giving our riders an option to report the absence of rear seat belts after a ride endsrdquolsquoWhat about usrsquoHeavy transporters have sought clarity on the matter as well as six monthsrsquo time to get the seat belt rule implemented They also pointed at the absence of seat belts in trucks ldquoThe Mumbai traffic police order is quite confusing as there is hardly any clarity as not all transport and nontransport vehicles come with seat belts Does the order cover BEST buses taxis autos and maxi cabs which are not fitted with seat belts Buses do not have seat belts for passengers and most heavy transport vehicles such as trucks do not even have seat belts for drivers or cleanersrdquo said Bal Malkit Singh chairman core committee and former president of All India Motor Transport CongressHe told midday ldquoThe time period given by the traffic police is not enough especially for motor vehicles that do not even have the provision of seat belts The Transport Department must immediately clarify whether this order is applicable on goods carrying vehicles and trucks as well We demand more time of at least six months and clarity on the matter first before it is implemented The provision of fine can even be misused by field officers for want of clarityrdquolsquoNeed more timersquoFormer RTO officer KT Golani who is also a member of the Welfare Organisation for Road Safety and Prevention of Accidents said ldquoI strongly support the move regarding seat belts for all However the deadline for the same should be extendedrdquoldquoThe 15day period given by the traffic police department was not enough for all fourwheelers in the city to have the seat belts installed It requires manpower and time While the circular has been issued in the right spirit it was announced during the festive time when most workers are on leave We are writing to the traffic police for clarity and more timerdquo said Nitin Dossa chairman of Western India Automobile AssociationlsquoSchool bus off the listrsquoAnil Garg president of School Bus Ownersrsquo Association SBOA Maharashtra said ldquoAs per the Motor Vehicles Act seat belts are not required for passengers in case of school buses It will be impossible to have seat belts in school buses as the number of students keeps on increasing and decreasing and depending on the age of the child a seat accommodates two or three kids Belts have been found riskier as small kids tend to play with it and may accidentally strap them around necks which could be dangerousrdquoNo action till Nov 11Mumbaikarrsquos wonrsquot face challans for not wearing seat belts from today November 1 as the traffic police have decided to first create awareness among motorists and passengers Clear instructions have been given to traffic cops regarding action for not wearing seat belts Citizens travelling in taxis or cabs that have seatbelts but are not wearing them will be challaned by traffic cops The drivers of such vehicles will not be fined Challans will be issued to violators from November 11 onwards Anurag Kamble