KUALA LUMPUR, 5 Dec 2008: The fourth back passenger in a private vehicle found not wearing a safety belt will not be fined, the Road Safety Department clarified today.
Its director-general Datuk Suret Singh said the government had no intention of doing so, following public confusion over reports that an unbuckled fourth rear passenger would face a fine.
“The action has never been and will not be enforced as it will burden the people,” he told reporters after launching a road safety advocacy campaign at the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur elevated highway, here, today.
He said a study conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research showed that only five per cent to nine per cent of private vehicles each carried more than three rear passengers.
The compulsory wearing of safety belts for rear passengers of private vehicles will come into effect on 1 Jan.
Three automobile companies, namely Proton, Honda and Perodua are offering free installation of rear passenger safety belts for their respective vehicle makes.
Exemption for wearing rear safety belts will only be given to vehicles registered before 1 Jan 1995.
For more information on the installation of safety belts, Suret advised vehicle owners and drivers to contact their respective car distributors or log on to www.panducermat.org.my. — Bernama
