Spot fines soon on motorists violating seat belt rules
View(s):Spot fines will soon be imposed on motorists violating seat belt regulations through amendments to the Motor Traffic Act, Transport Minister Kumar Welgama said.
“Implementation of these fines is now being carried out by the courts and the public has been inconvenienced,” he said stressing the need to amend the law to impose spot fines.
He said that many motorists appear before courts for contravening these regulations and pay a fine at present, some of them coming to Colombo from faraway places.
At present the driver and the passengers in the front seats of certain categories of vehicles that have registration numbers beginning with English letters have to wear the seat belt for their safety.
Violation of this rule means a fine not less than Rs. 1000 and not exceeding Rs.2000 on the first occasion, a fine not less Rs.2000 and not exceeding Rs.3000 on the second occasion, and a fine not exceeding Rs.3, 500 and cancellation of the driving license on the third occasion.
The Cabinet has granted approval to amend the law in respect of the penalty for violation of seat belt regulations.