The National Council for Road Safety announced Monday that police have begun imposing fines for seat belt violations nationwide, marking the end of a three-month transition period.
Council Chairman Manjula Kularatne confirmed that the grace period, which was intended to allow motorists to adjust to stricter safety regulations, officially expired on December 24. Law enforcement officers have now been instructed to strictly enforce the law to mitigate the high rate of fatalities and serious injuries on Sri Lankan roads.
Key Enforcement Areas:
* Expressways: All drivers and passengers (both front and rear) are legally required to wear seat belts.
* Other Roads: Enforcement remains mandatory for all drivers and front-seat passengers.
“Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of death and severe injury during crashes,” Kularatne said, emphasizing that the measure is a simple but essential step in the government’s broader road safety initiative. (Newswire)