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Wear Seatbelts While Driving or the Cost Can Be Very High

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Have you ever realised that when you are driving a car on a public road, you are essentially operating heavy machinery? It’s true! Your car is heavy, complex and needs careful handling and driving for the sake of both your safety. Which is why seatbelts are among the most effective safety measures for people driving any kind of four-wheeler. They are meant to hold you in place while driving, so that your position does not rapidly change in case of an accident or collision. Generally, passenger cars come with three-point seatbelts, though more effective four-point seatbelts are available as aftermarket accessory for many high-performance cars. To find out more about why seatbelts are beneficial and how not wearing one can cost you, even when it comes to your car insurance policy, read on.

Why seatbelts are super important

More than 1.35 million lives are lost every year in road accidents across the globe. In India, in 2019, 16,876 people died because of not wearing seatbelts while 61,942 people dealt with injuries.

All in all, wearing seatbelts is important because it saves lives. As per certain government studies conducted in America, more than 53% people who die in car accidents don’t wear seatbelts. The study also showed that wearing seatbelt reduces mortality rates by 45%. Further, they also reduce the risk of serious injury by as much as 50%.

Clearly, seatbelts are your first line of defence in case of road accidents.

Multiple benefits of wearing a seatbelt 

1. Seatbelts keep you safe from serious injuries in case of an accident. It prevents minor accidents from turning into major casualty events by holding you in place.
2. Seatbelts can turn you into a more alert driver, thanks to the pressure imposed by it. This is particularly helpful for short drivers where the belt’s position tends to prevent them from dozing off.
3. Seatbelts improve the effectiveness of airbags. Airbags in your car are designed to deploy at a specific position. If you are wearing a seatbelt, you will be in the correct position for airbags to offer the best protection.
4. Driving without a seatbelt can get you a challan. In fact, you are required to wear a seatbelt regardless of whether you are in the front or rear. If you fail to wear a seatbelt, the traffic police can fine you for Rs 1000.
5. Seatbelts are also important if you are required to make a claim against your car insurance policy. Failing to wear a seatbelt while driving can get your claim declined by the insurance company because you failed to take adequate care and precaution while driving.
6. As per a circular issued by IRDAI on September 6, 2019, your traffic challan history will now be considered during premium calculation. This means wearing seatbelts will help you keep insurance cost low.

Get ready for heavy penalty if you are caught without a seatbelt

The traffic police in India is authorised to issue you a challan if you are found to be driving a car without wearing a seatbelt. Further, if you are not driving a car but are only a passenger, you are still required to wear a seatbelt. This rule is equally applicable to people both in the front and rear seats. Yes, not many people are aware, but even if you are in the rear seat, you are still required to wear the seatbelt by law. Failing to wear the seatbelt can invite a challan of Rs 1000 per person. So, in a car with 4 people, if none is wearing the belt, the total challan will be Rs 4000. And that is not a paltry amount.

The relation between car insurance and seatbelts in India 

On September 6, 2019, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India issued a circular to companies providing car insurance policies. As per this circular, the traffic challan records of a person shall be considered a key factor in deciding the premium they have to pay for motor insurance.  If you are caught driving a car without a seatbelt and issued a challan for the same, it will directly lead to an increase in your car insurance cost. So, better use that seatbelt, to keep your life, health, money and insurance record safe.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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• Road Safety Rules to Stay Safe on India Roads
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