Fix seat belts or leave the industry: Minister warns bus owners

Colombo, July 1 (Daily Mirror) - Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has urged bus owners to ensure seat belts are installed and used while transporting passengers for maximum safety and advised those unwilling to comply with the law to seek employment in another industry.

Speaking to the media, the Minister said that the mandatory use of seat belts for both drivers and front-seat passengers was introduced on October 1, 2011, under the Motor Traffic Act. However, while this regulation has been somewhat enforced for light vehicles, it had not been properly implemented for buses and lorries.

“For the past three months, the Ministry has been carrying out awareness programmes on this matter. Despite bus owners finding time and resources to decorate their vehicles, they cannot claim they lack the time to install seat belts for drivers,” Rathnayake said.

The Minister further announced that from September 1, it will be compulsory for passengers travelling on expressway buses to wear seat belts. Additionally, passengers seated in the rear seats of light vehicles will also be required to wear seat belts when using expressways.

“These measures are not for media publicity. They are essential for protecting lives. Enough time has been given to install seat belts in buses, and excuses will no longer be tolerated,” the Minister stressed.

He also revealed that the authorities had received information about some individuals deliberately hiding seat belts to create an impression of a shortage. “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to sabotage this programme,” Rathnayake warned.

The Ministry reiterated that these road safety initiatives are being implemented to reduce injuries and fatalities from road accidents, especially on high-speed expressways.