In the wake of ensuring passenger safety, Uber has added a new reform. Uber has now directed all its drivers in the country to ensure that their cars’ rear seat belts are working and accessible to passengers.
Uber India Ensures Accessible Rear Seat Belts For Passengers
The Uber advisory said that to avoid any fines or complaints by riders, drivers should ensure the seat belts on the back seats are accessible and functional. According to sources, Uber was conducting checks at airports to ensure that its drivers complied with seat belt norms.
Ola is also taking a similar path and has enforced the seat belt rules for all passengers. This, of course, includes the driver as well.
India Soon To Make Rear Seat Belt Reminders Mandatory
Given the recent accident of Cyrus Mistry that resulted in his death, there has been a growing focus on road safety in India. As per multiple reports, he was not wearing a seatbelt while seated at the back of a Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV. The central government is also trying hard to push through a series of measures to improve road safety. This should not come as a surprise, as India currently has the world’s deadliest roads.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that a draft notification detailing a penalty structure for rear-occupant seat belts in passenger vehicles is in the process. Thus, we expect it to be issued soon. India already has rules mandating rear-seat passengers to wear seat belts, but Cyrus Mistry’s case shows that many do not comply.
Important Of Seat Belts
Seat belts will always remain the primary restraint system (PRS) as your first line of defence in an accident. The design of these belts protects you from the initial impact of a collision. Then we have SRS. The secondary restraint system further adds safety by working in tandem with the PRS. The most popular SRS component is the airbag. Thus to conclude, without wearing a seat belt, an airbag or multiple airbags per se won’t have its desired effect. This will compromise the safety of the occupants in case of an accident to a great extent.
Also Read: Rear seatbelts reminder could become compulsory in India.
