New road safety campaign launched to remind passengers to wear seat belts

The new campaign was launched yesterday and taxi passengers - especially those seating at the back - will be reminded to wear their seat belts. As part of the safety drive all 16,000 ComfortDelGro taxis have the seatbelts carrying the safety message - Seat Belts Save Lives - on them.

The Traffic Police's Commanding Officer for road safety, Deputy Superintendent Soh Wan Khuan, told The Straits Times it is vital for rear seating passengers to wear their seat belts for protection in the case of an accident - and a large number do not do so. He also added back seat passengers face more danger against accidents due to the absence of airbags.

Mr Martin Bridger, Chief Executive of Liberty Insurance, added the campaign is timely given the recent slew of fatal accidents on Singapore roads.

Despite being a mandatory rule for almost 20 years , it is also one that is increasingly ignored by drivers as well as passengers. According to latest figures, traffic violations soared to 2,400 in the first quarter of 2013, from 2,000 in the same period last year. The figures rose to 8,900 violations last year to 8,700 in 2011.

Taxi drivers The Straits Times spoke to revealed front passengers usually buckle up while rear seating ones only do when they see a traffic police officer. But cabby Mr Wang Kok Wei cited most passengers listen when they are told to do so when informed about the fine.

Adult passengers who do not wear their seat belts face a $120 fine while errant drivers are slapped with a $120 fine and three demerit points as well.