Seatbelts Mandatory For Rear Seat In Karnataka: Your Car Could Be Exempt Depending On Seating Layout

The Indian rule-making process seems a bit incident-oriented. It is only after a major incident that gains national media attention occurs, that authorities decide a new rule must be implemented as a stop-gap arrangement to prevent such incidents from happening. For example, in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya incident, a new rule banning the use of tints or sun films was implemented.

Yet another Major incident occurred in September 2022. Cyrus Mistry, former Chairman of Tata Sons, and Jegangir Pandole, director at the Global Strategy Group of KPMG's London office were killed in a road accident while traveling at speed in a Mercedes-Benz GLC. Investigations revealed that Cyrus Mistry and Jehangir Pandole, who were seated in the back seat of the Mercedes-Benz weren't wearing seatbelts.

The central government soon announced that seatbelts for passengers in the rear too would soon be made mandatory. Soon after this announcement, police in the Delhi-NCR region started imposing fines on vehicles in which passengers weren't wearing seatbelts. Now, the same rule has been implemented in Karnataka as well.

The order was passed in Karnataka on October 18 and was implemented on October 19, 2022. This rule will apply to all vehicles that come under the M1 category of motor vehicles. A fine of Rs 1,000 will be levied on first-time offenders. Repeat offenders will be fined Rs 2,000.

The central government mandate states Rule 125(1) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Rule 125(1) states, all cars must have a seatbelt for the driver and person occupying the front seat while passenger vehicles with eight or fewer seats will also have seat belts for those occupying the front-facing rear seat.

This rule basically covers the majority of cars ever sold in India. However, there's still a niche segment of cars that don't really fall under this rule. Rule 125(1) clearly states, "passenger vehicles with eight or fewer seats will also have seat belts for those occupying the front-facing rear seat." Front-facing rear seats aren't found in every single vehicle that comes under the M1 category.

There are a few SUVs and MUVs that were sold with side-facing rear seats. In fact, cars like the Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra Bolero Neo, Force Trax Cruiser, Force Trax Toofan, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, etc, are still sold with side-facing seats. In the past, vehicles like the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha, Maruti Suzuki Omni, etc, were sold with side-facing rear seats.

Having a seatbelt for those occupying the side-facing seats can be dangerous. While the rule does state that it applies only to front-facing rear seats, there are some reports that state there is still confusion in certain police departments of Karnataka state.

Thoughts On Karnataka Government Implementing Seat Belt Rule For Rear Seat Passengers

The rule is certainly clear, however confusion will prevail and this will surely end up in a few cases of harassment for those ferrying passengers in their SUVs or vans with a side-facing rear seat. Apart from this little caveat, the rear passenger seatbelt rule does make a lot of sense from the perspective of automotive safety. However, it still is putting the onus only on car owners, just like the six airbags rule.

The responsibility of automotive safety must be shared between motorists and the government. Motorists must do everything in their capacity to increase safety, like abiding by the rules, including wearing seatbelts even at the rear seat. At the same time, the government must provide safe, pothole-free, well-lit, and well-marked roads. Well, we all know which part of the bargain will be kept and by whom!