PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will soon enforce the mandatory use of seatbelts for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles nationwide.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli stopped short of giving an exact date to begin enforcement, saying that the department will focus on advocacy first via its ‘Klik Sebelum Gerak’ (Click Before Going) campaign to encourage seatbelt use.
He said the campaign launched on Thursday (Sept 11) aims to enhance road safety culture and highlight the necessity of seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants, both drivers and passengers.
"In line with this campaign, we will later announce the enforcement of seatbelt use for passengers of private cars.
"We will announce it in due course. For now, we are beginning with the campaign first, and later we will confirm the date for (the seatbelt) enforcement for car passengers," he said at a press conference here the same day.
Individuals who fail to wear seatbelts may face fines of up to RM300 under the Motor Vehicles (Seatbelt and Child Restraint System) Rules 1978 (Amendment 2019).
He said the campaign demonstrates JPJ's commitment to ensuring that every journey starts with the most fundamental safety measure, wearing a seatbelt.
According to a study conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), seatbelt use could halve the risk of passenger fatalities in accidents.
"In this regard, using seatbelts helps keep drivers and passengers securely seated during a crash, unlike those without seatbelts who are at a significantly higher risk of injury," he said.
"JPJ will continue to implement advocacy programmes, share information through various channels, and perform regular inspections to ensure optimal compliance.
"JPJ is highly committed to making seatbelt use a national safety norm and culture to protect the lives of all road users," he added.
Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said enforcement of seatbelt use has already been implemented for express and tour bus drivers and passengers, effective July 1, 2025.
"We have already begun enforcement (for seatbelts), and we are issuing summonses to passengers who fail to wear them," he said.
The enforcement applies to buses manufactured after January 2020, while buses built earlier are given time to install seatbelts. - Bernama
