'Seat belt reminder' is necessary in the rear seat of cars: New rule will be implemented from 1 April 2025, seat belt protects from injury in an accident

Auto makers will have to provide 'seat belt reminder' feature in the rear seat of all cars. Because, it has been made mandatory to install 'rear seat belt alarm' in all cars sold in the country from April 1, 2025.

The government has issued a notification of this rule related to road safety to the companies. Earlier, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (NHAI) had released a draft in March this year and opinions were sought from the general public regarding the new rule.

From April 1, 2026, it will be mandatory to install seats in buses as well
According to the report of CNBC-AWAAZ, the rule will be applicable for all passenger cars manufactured after April 1, 2025. For this, the Central Motor Vehicle Rules will be amended. Under this, seat belts, restraint systems and seat belt reminders will have to be used. At the same time, the rule of assembling safety seat belts will also be implemented in buses and other heavy vehicles from April 1, 2026.

Seat belt protects passengers from getting injured in an accident
Seat belt alarm is an important feature. This safety feature sounds an alarm with a beeping sound to alert the passenger sitting in the car to wear the seat belt and this sound does not stop until the passenger wears the seat belt. This protects the passenger from getting injured during an accident.

1000 rupees fine on those who break the rules
Currently, in-built seat belt reminders are mandatory for the driver and front seat passengers and the driver. Rear seat passengers not wearing seat belts are fined ₹1,000 under Rule 138 (3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).

Most people are either unaware of this rule or ignore it. Even traffic policemen rarely fine pillion passengers for not wearing seat belts.

The government came into action after the death of Cyrus Mistry
Earlier, the ministry had issued a draft notification to make 3 safety features mandatory in cars after the death of former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry in a road accident. It proposed to provide company fitted seat belts, seat belt alarm and 6 airbags in the car. However, the proposal of 6 airbags did not come into effect and eventually the entire notification was scrapped.

Apart from the mechanic, his friend Jahangir Pandole (49) also died in the car accident. Cyrus and Jahangir were sitting in the backseat of the car and both of them were not wearing seat belts. While the woman driving the car, Dr. Anayata Pandole and her husband Darius Pandole were seriously injured in the accident.