Pune: Only about 25 per cent of passenger vehicle users use seat belts in India, reveals a report of a national survey conducted by Maruti Suzuki recently. The study - Seat Belt Usage in India 2017 - was conducted across 17 cities in India, spread across all zones, consisting of a mix of metros, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
“Among drivers, seat belt usage rate was merely 28 per cent while 35 per cent of the respondents claimed to never use a seat belt at all,” the report revealed. Gender-specific data showed that the rate of non-usage of seat belt among female drivers was highest at 81 per cent compared to male drivers at 68 per cent. The non-usage rate of the rear seat belt was highest among male occupants at 97 per cent compared to females at 92 per cent.
“According to the age profile, the non-usage rate for driver seat belt was highest in the age group of 46 to 55 years (74 pc), followed by 26 to 35 years (71 pc), 36 to 45 years (71 pc) and 18 to 25 years (68 pc).”
Reason for not using
According to the survey report, weak legal enforcement was the topmost reason for non-usage of seat belt followed by ‘negative image’ perceptions and the belief that seat belts ruin clothes emerged as other key reasons for non-usage of seat belts.
“Twenty three per cent respondents did not consider seat belts as a safety device, an important factor that needs to be addressed. 20 pc said that they did not wear seat belts as family and friends don’t wear or do not encourage seat belt usage,” the survey revealed.
To support the govt and create awareness about seat-belt usage, Maruti Suzuki has launched a #PehniKya, a 360 degree, multi-fold, pan-India campaign to drive behavioural change among vehicle users.
Figures say it all
75 pc people don’t use a seat belt while travelling in a passenger vehicle
43 pc people claimed that they never use a seat belt
72 pc drivers claimed not using the seat belt
72 pc co-drivers claimed not using the seat belt
81 pc female drivers claimed not using seat belts against 68 pc male drivers
96 pc claimed to not using rear seat belts
