January 27, Colombo (LNW): Motorists across Sri Lanka are now being fined for failing to wear seat belts, as police move to strictly enforce road safety regulations following the end of a three-month adjustment period, the National Council for Road Safety has announced.
Council Chairman Manjula Kularatne said the grace period, which was introduced to give drivers and passengers time to familiarise themselves with the updated rules, came to an end on 24 December.
Since then, law enforcement officers have been directed to apply the law without leniency, amid ongoing concerns over the country’s high rate of road accidents and fatalities.
Under the current regulations, seat belt use is mandatory for all occupants travelling on expressways, including those seated in the rear. On other roads, the requirement applies to drivers and passengers seated in the front.
Kularatne stressed that the measure is a key element of efforts to improve road safety, noting that seat belts are proven to dramatically reduce the likelihood of death or serious injury in a crash. He urged motorists to comply with the law, describing it as a straightforward step that can save lives and prevent life-altering injuries.
