Deadline for seat-belt extended in Chennai has been extended by a week. The police will start enforcing it from December 9.However, once it is enforced, taxi drivers and front-seat passengers too will have to wear the seat belts. The seat-belt rule was supposed to come into force from December 1. According to the traffic police, in the event of an accident, on collision, the driver and front-seat passenger will sustain grievous injuries if they are not wearing seat belts.
Section 138 (3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, also mandate the use of seat belts when the vehicle is in motion. Offenders are liable to pay a penalty of Rs. 100 the first time and Rs. 300 for subsequent offences, as per Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.