Malaysia to enforce mandatory use of seat belts for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles

PUTRAJAYA - The next time you get into the car with the family in Malaysia, ensure that those in the back buckle up too.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is about to enforce the mandatory use of seat belts for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles nationwide.

Although its current priority is to carry out advocacy programmes on seat belt usage – especially through the Klik Sebelum Gerak (click before moving) campaign – enforcement will start soon, said its director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli.

He would not disclose the exact date for the start of enforcement.

The campaign, launched on Sept 11, aims to enhance road safety culture and highlight the necessity of seat belt use for all vehicle occupants, not just drivers.

“We will announce the enforcement of seat belt use for passengers of private cars soon. For now, we are beginning with this campaign first,” he told a press conference on Sept 11.

Those who fail to wear seat belts may face fines of up to RM300 (S$90).

The seat belt law making it mandatory for drivers and front-seat occupants was passed in 1978. It was amended in 2009 to include rear-seat passengers.

Vehicles registered before 1995 or those not equipped with rear anchorage points were exempted.

A study conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research said wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of passenger fatalities by as much as 50 per cent during an accident.

“JPJ will continue to implement advocacy programmes, share information through various channels and perform regular inspections to ensure optimal compliance,” said Datuk Aedy Fadly, adding that enforcement of seat belt use began on July 1 for express and tour bus drivers and passengers.

The enforcement applies to buses manufactured after January 2020, while buses that were built earlier will be given time to install seat belts. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK