MORTH likely to mandate rear seatbelt reminders in cars

The move comes after the lack of awareness, particularly highlighted from the non-usage of rear seatbelts that claimed the life of ex-Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry on September 4. A report by Mayank Dhingra.

- Mayank Dhingra

The tragic road accident involving the death chairman Cyrus Mistry in the afternoon hours of September 4, has brought into sharp focus the need to strap on seat belts even when sitting in the rear seats of any passenger vehicle.

While social media has been abuzz since the occurrence of the fatal incident with road safety and automotive experts pressing upon the dire need of using rear-occupant seat belts in passenger vehicles, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, too out acknowledging the importance of this primary restraint system in cars.

"Like we made it mandatory for all cars to have a seat-belt warning alarm for front passengers, we will now impose the same for rear-seat occupants as well," the Minister said addressing a gathering at an event organised by Business Standard on September 6. "The irritating beep will compel rear-seat occupants to belt up as well," he remarked.