Cyrus Mistry accident: Govt issues draft notification to make seat belt alarm mandatory in cars

Ever since the death of former Tata Sons CEO Cyrus Mistry in a car crash, road safety has turned into one of the most important areas to look into for the Indian government. The government has been taking preventive measures since Mistry's death, as earlier the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway (MoRTH) announced to make wearing of seat belts necessary, failing which the car owners will have to bear the fine of Rs 1,000. Now, the government has issued draft rules making installation of alarm systems mandatory in all seats of the cars.

As per the proposal, seat belt reminders or alarms will be mandatory in M and N category vehicles, with audio-video warning in case the seat belts, including the rear ones, are not worn. Besides, there will be a speed alert system to check over-speeding and manual override for the central locking system.

"Safety-belt reminder" means a system dedicated to alerting the driver when the driver and all other front-facing seat occupant(s) do not use the safety-belt. The system is constituted by a detection of an unfastened safety-belt and by a driver`s alert which is a first level warning and a second level warning.

"First Level Warning" means a visual warning activated when the ignition switch is engaged (engine running or not) and the driver`s and front-facing seat occupants` safety-belt is not fastened. An audible warning can be added as an option, said the proposal. "Second Level Warning" means a visual and audible warning activated when a driver operates a vehicle without fastening of driver and front-facing seat occupants` safety-belt.

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As per the notification, the last date for public comments on draft rules for the car makers is October 5. Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari has time and again emphasised on the need of seat belts for all the occupants in the car.

Audio-Video warning if seat belt is not worn

Seat belt alarm will be mandatory in M ​​and N category vehicles, and vehicles will have audio-video warning if seat belts are not worn. Along with this, over speed alarm will become mandatory too. Further, following measures will also be taken:

- Manual over ride for central lock

- Child lock will not be allowed in M1 category vehicles

- Ministry of Transport issued draft notification

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3 level alarm to alert riders if travelling without seat belts

- Video warning when the engine of the car is started

- Audio video when driving without belt

- Alarm will continue to ring even if someone opens the belt during the journey

Special arrangement to stop gambling

- It will be mandatory for the seat belt to be stretched by at least 10 mm

- This will prevent many types of products protecting from warning in the lock

- Car and ride will be much safer

Reverse alarm will be mandatory

- Reverse alarm will be mandatory in all M, N category trains

What is M, N category?

- All vehicles with at least 4 wheels, used for transport or freight. It includes everything from basic to high end vehicles. All seats should be facing forward.