The Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014 has emphasised the importance of safety, requiring four-wheeler users to wear seat belts. Gone will be the days when mothers could be on the front seat of a vehicle with their babies in arms while being driven around town. Now children below eight years will not be able to occupy the front seat of a vehicle. Those between eight and 14 will have to wear a seat belt even if seated at the back.
Practically speaking, at least in the Capital, the seat belt norm is violated not just by ordinary citizens but also by those driving defence, police, ambulance and government vehicles.
Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, will have to address this issue and keep in mind that the law should be fair to both the common man and the one wielding power.
The Bill stipulates that an adult is guilty of an offence if he does not wear a seat belt, as a driver or passenger, when driving or riding a motor vehicle. Any person who drives or rides a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt is guilty of an offence, and no person other than the one actually committing the contravention is guilty of an offence.
Except as provided by regulations, a parent or guardian of the child, or in the absence of such parent or guardian, the driver of the motor vehicle must not, without reasonable excuse, allow a child below the age of eight years to occupy the front seat of a motor vehicle when it is in motion.
A child above eight years can occupy the front seat of a motor vehicle wearing a seat belt. Also, a child under the age of 14 years sitting in the rear of a motor vehicle must wear a seat belt in conformity with the regulations.