This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to concerns regarding rear seat belt usage, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3017 on August 7, 2025. The Ministry acknowledges low rear seat belt usage despite existing regulations (Rule 138(3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and Section 194B of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988). Government data from 2022 indicates that 16,715 individuals killed in road accidents were not wearing seat belts, with drivers comprising 8,384 (50.2%) and passengers 8,331 (49.8%) of these casualties.
Current regulations (Rule 125 of CMVR, 1989) mandate 3-point seat belts with emergency locking retractors for front outboard seats in passenger cars. Two or three-point belts are required for all other seating positions. The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) considers 3-point seat belt fitment in its vehicle safety star ratings.
Regarding seat belt reminders, G.S.R. 1483(E), dated December 7, 2017, mandated these reminders for drivers and co-drivers in M1 category vehicles manufactured after July 1, 2019. G.S.R 514(E), dated August 14, 2024, further mandates seat belt reminders for all front-facing occupants in M1 category vehicles, effective from April 1, 2025.
Finally, the issue of seat belt alarm stopper clips sold on e-commerce platforms has been referred to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Motor Vehicle Rules: A set of rules pertaining to motor vehicles, often abbreviated as CMVR.
Rule 138(3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules: Specific rule within the Central Motor Vehicle Rules related to seat belt usage.
Motor Vehicle Act, 1988: An act concerning motor vehicles.
Section 194B of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988: Specific section of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 related to wearing of seat belts.
Road Accident Report: A report published by the Government providing statistics on road accidents.
Rule 125 of CMVR, 1989: Specific rule within the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 related to seat belts.
Bharat New Car Assessment Programme BNCAP: Star rating program for safety of Vehicles.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs: Government Ministry to take action under Consumer Protection Act, 2019
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 3017
ANSWERED ON 7th AUGUST, 2025
CENTRAL MOTOR VEHICLE RULES FOR REAR SEAT BELTS
3017. Ms Sayani Ghosh:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) Whether the Government has taken cognizance that despite
existing provisions under Rule 138(3) of the Central Motor Vehicle
Rules (CMVR), rear seat belt usage in vehicles remains dismally low
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) Whether any studies have been commissioned to assess
compliance levels with mandatory rear seat belt laws, particularly in
urban areas and on highways and if so, the details thereof;
(c) The steps to make three-point Y-shaped seat belts mandatory for
all front-facing seats, including the middle-rear seat;
(d) whether the Government proposes to integrate seat belt reminder
alerts for all rear seats in passenger vehicles as a mandatory safety
feature for manufacturers and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) The steps taken to curb the sale of seat belt alarm stopper clips on
various e-commerce platforms?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) & (b) The provisions contained in Rule 138 (3) of Central Motor
Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and Section 194B of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988,
relate to wearing of seat belts. As per Road Accident Report published
by the Government in the year 2022, 16,715 persons were killed who
were not wearing seat belts. Out of 16,715 casualties, drivers were
8,384 (50.2%) and passengers were 8,331 (49.8%).
(c) As notified in Rule 125 of CMVR, 1989, in a passenger car, 3 Point
belt with emergency locking retractor is mandatory for front row
outboard seat and 2 Point or 3 Point belt with or without retractors is
mandatory for all other seating positions.
Fitment of 3 point seat belt is one of the criteria under Bharat
New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), i.e. star rating program for
safety of Vehicles.
(d) G.S.R. 1483 (E) dated 7th December, 2017 mandated safety belt
reminder requirements for driver and co-drivers in M1 category
vehicles, manufactured on and after the 1st day of July, 2019. Further,
G.S.R 514(E) dated 14th August 2024, mandated implementation of
seat belt reminder for all front facing occupants of M1 category
vehicles from 1st April 2025.
(e) The matter has been referred to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to
take appropriate action under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
*****