Ahmedabad Traffic Police begins 3-day drive to enforce seat belt rule following Cyrus Mistry tragic accident

Ahmedabad: On Wednesday, 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.

Additionally, drivers who are not buckled up will face consequences. Even the passenger occupying the seat next to the driver must wear a seat belt or face consequences, according to the police.

People who are found breaking the rule could be fined Rs 500 and arrested under Section 194 B of the Motor Vehicles Act, according to Joint Commissioner of Police Mayanksinh Chavda.

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 Highway's Road Accidents in India-2020 report, Gujarat saw 407 driver fatalities and 391 passenger fatalities in 2020 as a result of injuries brought on by failure to utilise seat belts.