Seat belt law extended to expressway buses, light vehicle rear seats from Sept. 1: Minister

• Says strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to sabotage this safety initiative
• Points out that these measures are not for publicity but to save lives

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

The mandatory use of seat belts for passengers travelling on expressway buses and for those seated in the rear seats of light vehicles will be enforced from September 1, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced.   

Speaking to the media following an inspection at the Colombo Fort Central Bus Stand, the Minister said that while seat belts for drivers and front-seat passengers became compulsory under the Motor Traffic Act on October 1, 2011, enforcement has remained limited particularly for buses and lorries.   

Minister Rathnayake urged bus owners to ensure seat belts are properly installed and used to safeguard passengers. He also adviced those unwilling to adhere to the law to seek employment elsewhere.   

“For the past three months, the Ministry has conducted awareness programmes on this matter. If bus owners have time and resources to decorate their vehicles, they have no excuse to delay installing seat belts for drivers and passengers,” he said.   

The minister said these measures are not for publicity but to save lives, and said that sufficient time had already been given for compliance, and further excuses would not be entertained.   

He further revealed that authorities had received reports of certain individuals and vehicle garages deliberately concealing seat belts to create an artificial shortage. “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to sabotage this safety initiative,” Rathnayake warned.   

The Ministry reiterated that these road safety regulations aim to reduce fatalities and serious injuries caused by road accidents, particularly on high-speed expressways.