Parliament Question: Use of rear seat belt in four wheelers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 3771 ANSWERED ON - 25/03/2026 USE OF REAR SEAT BELT IN FOUR WHEELERS

3771. SHRI C. VE. SHANMUGAM:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the rear seat belt usage in four wheelers is woefully low;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the rules are in existence about the use of rear seat belts;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the status of implementation of such a rule across the country;

(e) whether Government proposes to create awareness about the use of rear seat belts;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) action taken by Government in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (d) Rule 125(1A) of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 mandates that the manufacturer of every motor vehicle of M1 category (motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat), with effect from 01st October 2002, shall equip every motor vehicle with a seat belt for a person occupying the front facing rear seat.

Rule 138(3) of CMVRs, 1989 mandates that the persons occupying front-facing rear seats, provided under sub-rule (1A) of rule 125, shall wear the seat belts while the vehicle is in motion. Section 194(B) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 mandates that whoever drives a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt or carries passengers not wearing seat belts shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees.The Central Government is responsible for formulating and notifying rules and regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act,1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVR). The responsibility for implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Act and the Rules, however, rests with respective States/UT administrations.

(e) to (g) The Central Government, under the nationwide road safety awareness campaign “Sadak Suraksha Abhiyaan”, is undertaking a series of digital media campaigns and on-ground activities aimed at promoting responsible road behaviour and enhancing road safety awareness among various categories of road users, including drivers, pedestrians, youth and the general public about usage of seat belts, helmets etc. The campaign envisages dissemination of road safety messages through digital platforms, short video films, social media outreach, and field- based awareness programmes such as workshops, public engagement activities and educational initiatives.

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