Alarmed by the increasing number of casualties reported in various road accidents across the city, the Chandigarh Traffic Police have plans afoot to make mandatory the wearing of seat belts for rear seat car occupants.

The department is expected to write to the Ministry of Surface Transport for the required notification to implement the proposal.

Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Hardeep Singh Doon said there have been several accidents reported in which passengers on the rear seat have sustained injuries, while the front seat occupants wearing seat belts escaped unhurt.

“In Europe, it is mandatory for passengers in the back seat to wear seat belts. In Britain, too, rear seat belt usage was made compulsory in 1991. We are sending a proposal to the Ministry of Surface Transport and hope to get a positive response,” he added.

Quoting a study, traffic police officials said it has been found that occupants of the front seat are five times more likely to die in an accident if the rear seat passengers do not wear their safety belts.

“Without the seat belt, passengers in the rear seats are thrown forward with such force that the front seaters are at greater risk of being injured or crushed to death,” the SP told Newsline.

Officials added that after a nod from the ministry, an awareness drive will be launched to educate people about the safety aspects of seat belts for rear passengers.

“Almost all cars have seat belts in the back seats, but people do not wear it. And in most accident cases, people at the back seat are more prone to head and chest injuries,” officials said.