The death of famous business tycoon Cyrus Mistry in a car accident throws light on the importance of wearing seatbelts while sitting in a four wheeler for the rear passengers along with the front passengers. The tragic car accident took the lives of former Tata chairperson Mr.Mistry and Jahangir Pandole because while sitting at the back they didn’t consider it essential to strap their seat belts.
A fine of Rs 1000 is imposed on the front seat passengers without seatbelt under article 38 of the Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). People are trapped in a misconception that the lack of dashboard and steering wheel in the rear seats makes it a safer place. Even most of the reputed manufacturers provide only a lap belt for the middle rear sit ignoring the other rear seat.
A draft notification issued by the ministry in January this year ordered six airbags in all passenger vehicles from October 1, 2022. The industries are reluctant to this because it would increase the prices of the vehicles. However the alarming rate of increase in accidental death cannot be ignored. For instance accidental deaths has increased by 16.83%, from 133,201 in 2020 to 155,622 in 2021.