Travel by car or SUV is one of the most popular means of transporting tourists of India. Few well known sightseeing spots about the country are void of the stark white tourist vehicles because of their ease of use, as well as the ability to relax between landmarks or cities. Choosing who sits where and wondering if all luggage will fit in the trunk may keep the intention of buckling a seat belt the furthest topic on a traveler’s mind.
Laws dictating the use of seat belts vary across India, with individual cities, regions, and some states mandating which and how many passengers are required to buckle up for safety. Western tourists are habitual users so the instinct to reach for a seat belt may come easily. However, many travelers may be surprised to find what is installed in some older model vehicles. Lap belts instead of combined shoulder/lap restraints are still a common sight in passenger cars and trucks, while an estimated 2 million lightweight trucks are void of any restraint system. And forget airbags. Few brands sold within India come built with a driver side airbag much less a passenger airbag and/or side curtains.
Buckling your seat belt is not only a safety issue, not knowing what the local laws are may also end up a financial issue. Traffic cops are aggressive at targeting tourist vehicles who carry unbuckled passengers. Typical Indian seat belt laws state either the driver or both front seat occupants are to be restrained, while some areas of India require all passengers to wear a seat belt. Tourists moving about with a car and driver should be advised when to wear a belt (if not already) as hired drivers do not want to incur the expense or hassle of stopping to pay a fine.
Violators are notified by a loud, long shrill chirp of a whistle as traffic cops flag offending cars to the side of the road. In some cases the proposed fine can be lowered with a quick exchange of words between the police officer and driver. Other times a lengthy shouting match may occur with an official ticket being written. Ultimately it becomes a matter of baksheesh. Drivers must choose whether to take a traffic ticket and face the consequences of their employer or pay a bribe to the cop in order to move on. Fines range anywhere from Rs 100 to Rs 1000 coming directly out of the driver’s pocket. Indian etiquette would almost never bring a hired driver to ask for reimbursement from his clients regardless of who made the mistake of not being unbuckled.
Avoid the hassle of a fine (and embarrassment) by keeping your seat belt fastened fat all times while traveling through India.
