Sri Lankan authorities will begin strictly enforcing the requirement for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts when travelling on expressways from tomorrow (19).
Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manoj Ranagala, said the approximately one-year grace period granted for compliance with the requirement will end today (18).
From tomorrow, drivers and passengers found travelling on expressways without wearing seat belts will face legal action.
Police will also prevent vehicles that are not fitted with seat belts from entering expressways, SSP Ranagala said.
The requirement applies to passengers seated in both the front and rear seats of vehicles using expressways.
SSP Ranagala stressed that the strict enforcement of the law is intended to reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths resulting from road accidents, rather than simply to impose penalties.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety Manjula Kularatne said the mandatory seat belt requirement had been introduced approximately one year ago, but additional time was provided for owners of older vehicles in which seat belts had not been installed by manufacturers.
Several extensions had been granted to allow such vehicle owners to install the required safety equipment. However, the final grace period will expire today.
Kularatne said there would be no further extension, noting that vehicle owners had been given nearly a year to comply with the requirement.
Police have been informed to enforce the relevant regulations, and all drivers and passengers using expressways will be required to wear seat belts from tomorrow.
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