The Hindu : Front Page : Seat belts mandatory from August 1

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007
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Front Page

Seat belts mandatory from August 1

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seat belts will be made compulsory for four-wheelers in the State from August 1. The police will strictly impose fines for speeding, negligent and drunk driving, and use of mobile phones while driving, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas have said.

The Ministers told mediapersons here on Wednesday that the decision to make seat belts mandatory was taken at a meeting of Home, Health, Transport and Education Ministers, the Chief Secretary and top officials of various departments in the wake of the rise in number of road accidents. As per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, the use of seat belts was mandatory. The police would levy fine ranging from Rs.100 to Rs.1,000 for speeding, negligent driving and use of mobile phones while driving. Criminal action would be taken against officials who fail to maintain roads, they said.

The Ministers said Government action alone was not enough to implement the rules. Public cooperation and awareness were also imperative. The Government would seek the cooperation of voluntary agencies and non-governmental organisations. The rules of the Kerala Road Safety Authority would be implemented. Steps had been taken to fill potholes and take up road maintenance works.

The Education Department would form road safety clubs in schools to create awareness among students. Road safety would be included in the curriculum too. In order to provide medical aid to accident victims, the Health Department would identify hospitals with trauma care facilities near major roads. Many voluntary organisations had come forward to provide ambulance services, they said.

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