Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 17: Car occupants in Mangaluru have been hit with a strict new traffic rule: if even one passenger in a vehicle is caught not wearing a seat belt, the vehicle owner will face double the fine.

The city’s traffic police have announced this toughened enforcement under the smart city initiative, warning that compliance is now being monitored with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance.

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Tougher rules follow high-profile tragedy

This intensified enforcement follows the 2022 death of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry and Dr Jehangir Pandole in a car crash on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway. Both were rear-seat passengers and not wearing seat belts, while the front-seat occupants, who were belted in, survived.

In the aftermath, the Karnataka government made it compulsory for front-seat co-passengers to wear seat belts.

The State, in line with Central Government directives, now imposes a Rs 1,000 fine for first-time offenders and Rs 2,000 or more for repeated violations.

Smart surveillance spots offenders

Mangaluru has become a testbed for automated traffic law enforcement. AI-integrated cameras installed as part of the Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) under the Smart City project are being used to capture high-resolution images of traffic violations — specifically seat belt non-compliance.

Vehicle owners receive challans with clear photographic evidence, the time and location of the offence, and a Rs 500 fine via SMS the next day.

“Wearing seat belts is compulsory for those sitting next to the driver. AI cameras are identifying offenders, and fines are being imposed. People must follow the rules for their own safety,” said DCP (Crime and Traffic) K Ravishankar.

Rise in violations recorded

According to traffic police, out of approximately 1,000 e-challans issued daily in Mangaluru, nearly 300 are for seat belt violations. While driver compliance has improved significantly since seat belts were made mandatory in 2015, many passengers — especially those in the front seat — are now coming under scrutiny.

Rear-seat passengers, although not currently being fined in Mangaluru, are also required by law to wear seat belts. However, enforcement is still lagging in that regard.

Rear-seat risk remains underestimated

Road safety experts warn that unbelted rear-seat passengers are equally at risk of serious injury, especially in head-on collisions where they can be thrown forward with fatal consequences — endangering themselves and those seated in front.

Despite legal requirements, most rear passengers still skip seat belts, assuming they are safe in the back. Authorities and experts alike are now urging the public to shed this false sense of security.

Public reaction: Awareness before penalty?

While some residents support the crackdown, others have criticised the approach for being enforcement-heavy without adequate public awareness.

“Before imposing penalties, people must be given clear information. In Kerala, wide campaigns were done before action was taken. Here, only notices are being issued, which confuses the public,” said Muhammad Rafiq, a resident of Mangaluru.

Authorities, however, insist that public safety is the top priority and that enforcement must continue to ensure compliance. “Rules are in place to save lives, not to penalise unnecessarily,” said a senior traffic official.