NEW DELHI, 21 SEPTEMBER: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highway has released proposed regulations that would require auto manufacturers to incorporate rear seatbelt alarm systems. The draft states that the deadline for public comments on the proposed rules is October 5.
According to the draft, seat belt reminders or alarms with audio-video warnings will be required in vehicles of the M and N categories if the seat belts, especially the ones in the back, are not fastened. Vehicles in the “M” category have at least four wheels and are used for transporting people, whereas “N” category vehicles also have four wheels but are used for moving products. Additionally, there will be a manual override for the central locking system as well as a speed alarm system to monitor excessive speeding.
Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, had previously said that failure to wear a seat belt while driving will result in a fine.
The term “safety-belt reminder” refers to a mechanism designed to warn the driver when they and any other front-facing seat occupants fail to fasten their seatbelts. The system has a safety belt detection feature as well as a driver alert that includes first- and second-level warnings.
“First Level Warning” refers to a visual alert that is activated when the ignition switch is turned on (whether the engine is running or not) and the seat belts of the driver and front-facing seat occupants are not fastened. The proposal stated that it is an option to include an audible warning.
A visual and audible warning known as a “Second Level Warning” is activated when a driver operates a vehicle without fastening the safety belt of the driver and any front-facing seat occupants.