Rear seat belt usage among Malaysian road users is still very low at 11%, despite regulations having been in place since 2009 based on observations, said Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS) chairman Datuk Suret Singh according to Bernama.
“According to studies, if the driver and passengers in a vehicle are involved in a road accident, the risk of death can be reduced by 50% with airbags, and this increases to 80% if used together with safety belts,” the chairman told the news wire agency recently.
A strategic plan for the instilling of rear seat belt use has been developed as a starting point to educate and increase awareness in stages the importance of using seat belts, based on the rate of compliance, he said. The plan had been approved by MIROS board of directors and was initially planned for implementation from last year until 2022, but was suspended due to the pandemic.
“MIROS will work with the transport ministry and the road transport department (JPJ) to ensure that the plan is improved,” he said. The chairman was also optimistic of reaching a 95% compliance rate for seat belt usage by 2022, as part of inculcating its use as part of Malaysian road users’ habits, Bernama reported.
Coming into force from January 1, 2009, those found guilty of violating the law under the 2008 amendment of Motor Vehicles Rules (Seatbelt) can be fined up to RM1,000 or face a jail term of up to one year, or both.
“In the plan, we will turn the highest government officials into role models because it is the aspiration of the chief secretary to the government,” said the MIROS chairman. On November 1, 2020, chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali signed a Safety Belt Use Campaign circular that made it compulsory for government officers to use safety belts when riding in government-owned vehicles, the report said.
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Just fine them RM 10,000 per head. Nuff said
Just curious how many percent Malaysian road users use front seat belts?
The equal proportion to the Lalabengs on the road
The law has been in force for more than a decade now.
But seriously,how frequent and sudden is the enforcement?
I have never been stopped by any enforcement with regards to buckling up since it was made compulsory.
Anyway,I got nothing to be afraid,since I follow the law.
Last year a young girl,was thrown out of her dad”s estima MPV due to an accident at Duke Highway.She landed on the roof of a used car (dealership corner lot)below the highway.Remember?
95% compliance of this seat belt requirement ..however,will remain a myth.It is just imaginary.
Why need enforcement when the car chimes to buckle up? Oh wait, while the car is smart the user are brainless enough to use bypass buckle to stop the chime. Guess what, it is not enforcement but human brainlessness that lies the problem.
Should put the annoying seat belt warning sound for back seats as well.
How many percent of abang polis that used to enforced this law wear seat belt during driving?
Polis accepted that that is an occupational risk so that they can dismount quickly and get into action. Dredd approves.
Haha..and their cried for as many airbag as possible, ADAS, ASA, 6 star ANCAP sort of things!
Only 11% of Malaysian road users use rear seat belts. The Balance 89% road user is either travel alone, or with another passenger in front car seat.
11%? Got that high?
In indo, we use only if there is a cops ahead