Watch Out! Rearview Mirror In Bikes And Rear Seatbelts In Cars Mandatory; West Delhi Traffic Cops Out To Catch Violators

West Delhi Traffic police is on a 10 day drive to catch violators, passengers on the back of the car now too have to wear the seatbelts and two wheeler riders have to ensure they have rearview mirrors.

Scores of agitated farmers on Thursday blocked the National Highway-9, leading to the closure of a key flyover which connects Uttar Pradesh to the national capital in a bid to show their resentment against the three farm laws. Even though the farmers have blocked the flyover, a little space has been left for ambulances to pass by. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: West Delhi Police has made rear seatbelts in cars and rearview mirrors in two wheelers mandatory. In an attempt to ensure that the new rules are met, West Delhi police is on the lookout for violators to give them tickets.

According to reports, DCP Western Range of Traffic Police have ordered a 10-day drive.

The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, states, “it shall be ensured that the driver, and the person seated in the front seat or the persons occupying front facing rear seats, as the case may be, wear the seat belts while the vehicle is in motion”. The Central Motor Vehicles Act makes rear-view mirrors mandatory for all motor vehicles.

Though this rule is not new, a 2019 study conducted by conducted by Nissan India and SaveLIFE Foundation has found that only 7 per cent of rear-seat passengers wear seat belts across 11 major Indian cities. Eighty-one per cent of them know that rear-seat belts exist, but choose not to wear them, even though this is a basic safety measure which can turn out to be a life-saver in case of an accident.

Recently, the Regional Transport Authority of Delhi on launched a campaign to check vehicles driving without high-security registration plate (HSRP) and color-coded fuel stickers. In the campaign, the authority will fine violators as much as Rs 10,000, which is compoundable to Rs 5,500 under the amended Motor Vehicle Act.