Cyrus Mistry Accident: Govt Notifies Draft Norms To Make Rear Seat Belt Alarm Mandatory

By OB Bureau On Sep 21, 2022

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway on Wednesday notified draft amendments to make it mandatory for car makers to install an alarm system for rear passenger seat belts.

According to the draft notification, seat belt reminders or alarms will be mandatory in M and N category vehicles with audio-video warning in case the seat belts, including the rear ones, are not worn. While ‘M’ category vehicles are the ones with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers, ‘N’ category vehicles also have four wheels, but are used to carry goods and may also carry passengers. Reverse parking alert system will also be applicable for such vehicles.

The last date for comments on the draft amendments to Automotive Industry Standard, AIS-145, additional safety features for such vehicles is October 5, 2022.

The move comes after the recent death of Cyrus Mistry, the former chairman of Indian conglomerate Tata Sons, in a car crash. Mistry was in the rear seat and not wearing a seat belt, local media had reported, citing police officials.