DILEMMA FOR THE TEACHERS
PIC: www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/seat_belt.asp
I don't think drivers should be blamed for kids or students not wearing seatbelt when told. Parents should take up the fine and not the driver especially teachers unless the parents give their trust, support and authority to manage their child. It's a state of shame to put the blame on the driver where the responsibilities lie on the parents to educate their child about the safety and also showing a good model role.
Source: www.malaysianbar.org.my
Drivers to bear fine for offenders below 17
KUALA LUMPUR: If rear-seat passengers under the age of 17 are not buckled up, the car driver will be fined for the offence.Offenders above age 17, on the other hand, will be individually fined when the new law requiring rear-seat passengers to belt up comes into effect on Jan 1.
The new rules, contained in the amendments to the Motor Vehicles (Safety Seat Belt) Rules 1977, under the Road Transport Act 1987, requires rear-seat passengers to fasten up or face a maximum fine of RM300.
Government sources told the New Straits Times that those above the age of 17 are of legal age to possess a car driving licence and should be aware of the law.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal signed the papers to enforce the ruling yesterday. Shafie, who is Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, is standing in for Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is overseas.
It is also learnt that no action would be taken against the fourth rear passenger.
"Studies have shown that in most car accidents, only three or fewer number of rear passengers were involved.
"Also the government does not want to burden the poor who normally have only one car to travel and would pack their family into the back seat," said the source.
The amendments took into consideration most of the proposals submitted by the Road Safety Department as well as views from the police and Road Transport Department (RTD).
The transport minister is empowered to make any amendments to the rules at any time without referring to Parliament.
The maximum fine of RM300 is aimed at making it a deterrent to offenders.
Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh yesterday confirmed the new rules, saying he would be announcing the details at a press conference on Tuesday.
"A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research shows that about 40 to 50 per cent of deaths, serious injuries and minor injuries involving rear passengers can be avoided through this initiative," he said.
Federal Traffic Police chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusof said they were ready to enforce the new law once it took effect.
He said while the police would issue the summonses in accordance with the rules, the public should not fret over the amount.
The traffic police's current "early-bird payment scheme" will also come into play.
Government sources told the New Straits Times that those above the age of 17 are of legal age to possess a car driving licence and should be aware of the law.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal signed the papers to enforce the ruling yesterday. Shafie, who is Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, is standing in for Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is overseas.
It is also learnt that no action would be taken against the fourth rear passenger.
"Studies have shown that in most car accidents, only three or fewer number of rear passengers were involved.
"Also the government does not want to burden the poor who normally have only one car to travel and would pack their family into the back seat," said the source.
The amendments took into consideration most of the proposals submitted by the Road Safety Department as well as views from the police and Road Transport Department (RTD).
The transport minister is empowered to make any amendments to the rules at any time without referring to Parliament.
The maximum fine of RM300 is aimed at making it a deterrent to offenders.
Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh yesterday confirmed the new rules, saying he would be announcing the details at a press conference on Tuesday.
"A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research shows that about 40 to 50 per cent of deaths, serious injuries and minor injuries involving rear passengers can be avoided through this initiative," he said.
Federal Traffic Police chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusof said they were ready to enforce the new law once it took effect.
He said while the police would issue the summonses in accordance with the rules, the public should not fret over the amount.
"If you pay the fine within one month, there will be a 50 per cent discount. If it is within two months, there will be a 30 per cent discount.
"If it is still not paid in the third month, a notice will be issued to the offender to appear in the Traffic Court. Failure to do so will later result in a warrant of arrest being issued."
The compulsory wearing of rear seat safety belts, starting from Jan 1, is expected to reduce death and injuries of rear passengers by up to 50 per cent.
Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zakaria Bahari gave the optimistic figure based on a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
He said 350 deaths involving rear passengers were reported last year.
"In the same year, 700 unbuckled rear passengers suffered serious injuries and 2,100 minor injuries.
"The study shows that up to 50 per cent of fatalities and injuries can be avoided by buckling up," he said yesterday.
In this respect, Zakaria said the RTD would make it compulsory for all new vehicles to be equipped with rear seat belts.
However, private vehicles registered before Jan 1, 1995 were exempted from the ruling.
He said owners of vehicles registered after Jan 1, 1995, which did not have rear seat belts, were given three years to install them.
Zakaria also advised car owners to make early appointments, especially since Proton, Perodua and Honda were conducting free installation of rear seat belts.
"If it is still not paid in the third month, a notice will be issued to the offender to appear in the Traffic Court. Failure to do so will later result in a warrant of arrest being issued."
The compulsory wearing of rear seat safety belts, starting from Jan 1, is expected to reduce death and injuries of rear passengers by up to 50 per cent.
Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zakaria Bahari gave the optimistic figure based on a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
He said 350 deaths involving rear passengers were reported last year.
"In the same year, 700 unbuckled rear passengers suffered serious injuries and 2,100 minor injuries.
"The study shows that up to 50 per cent of fatalities and injuries can be avoided by buckling up," he said yesterday.
In this respect, Zakaria said the RTD would make it compulsory for all new vehicles to be equipped with rear seat belts.
However, private vehicles registered before Jan 1, 1995 were exempted from the ruling.
He said owners of vehicles registered after Jan 1, 1995, which did not have rear seat belts, were given three years to install them.
Zakaria also advised car owners to make early appointments, especially since Proton, Perodua and Honda were conducting free installation of rear seat belts.
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