PUTRAJAYA: The next time you get into the car with the family, ensure that those in the back buckle up, too.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is about to enforce the mandatory use of seatbelts for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles nationwide.
Although JPJ’s current priority is to carry out advocacy programmes on seatbelt usage – especially through the “Klik Sebelum Gerak” campaign – enforcement will start soon, said its director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
He would not disclose the exact date for the start of enforcement.
The “Klik Sebelum Gerak” campaign, launched yesterday, aims to enhance road safety culture and highlight the necessity of seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants, not just drivers.
“We will announce the enforcement of seatbelt use for passengers of private cars soon. For now, we are beginning with this campaign first,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Those who fail to wear seatbelts may face fines of up to RM300.
The seatbelt law making it mandatory for drivers and front seat occupants was passed in 1978. It was amended to cover rear-seat passengers in 2009.
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 seatbelt can reduce the risk of passenger fatalities by as much as 50% during an accident.
“JPJ will continue to implement advocacy programmes, share information through various channels and perform regular inspections to ensure optimal compliance.”
Aedy Fadly said enforcement of seatbelt use has already begun for express and tour bus drivers and passengers from July 1.
The enforcement applies to buses manufactured after January 2020, while buses built earlier are given time to install seatbelts.
