1 hr ago
Kerala Doctor Takes India’s Seat Belt Failures to Supreme Court
Dr Jothydev Kesavadev is a doctor who wants people in every car seat to use working seat belts.
He noticed that many taxi back seats did not have belts that passengers could easily use.
Thick seat covers sometimes hid the belt buckle or damaged it.
Some drivers also believed that belts were needed only in the front seats.
The doctor said this could put passengers, especially children, in danger during crashes.
He asked the Supreme Court to improve enforcement of seat-belt and child-seat rules.
The article says the court disposed of his plea.
Kesavadev said the court also told the ministry and states to implement the law.
Dr Jothydev Kesavadev petitioned the Supreme Court seeking mandatory, usable seat belts for all vehicle passengers.
He said rear-seat belts were inaccessible or non-functional in about 80% of taxis he used; his petition cited about 85%.
He attributed many failures to aftermarket seat covers, removed receptacles, and other vehicle modifications.
The plea highlighted child-seat requirements and the risks faced by children in road crashes.
The Supreme Court disposed of the plea, while Kesavadev said it instructed the ministry and states to implement existing law.
- Who
- Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, a diabetes specialist and researcher, filed the petition through advocate Wills Mathew.
- What
- He sought directions to make seat belts mandatory and ensure that all passenger restraints are functional and usable, with effective child-seat enforcement.
- Where
- The petition concerns motor vehicles and taxi services across India, including cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and locations in Kerala.
- When
- The article does not provide the filing or hearing date; it says the Supreme Court recently disposed of the plea.
- Why
- Kesavadev argued that inaccessible or non-functional restraints expose passengers to preventable risks and can make existing safety laws ineffective.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, a diabetes specialist and researcher
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Reported taxi experience
- Rear-seat belts were inaccessible or non-functional in about 80% of cabs Kesavadev said he used
- Petition estimate
- The petition cited approximately 85% of taxi services used by him
- Reported causes
- Thick aftermarket seat covers, removed receptacles and other modifications
- Road crashes in 2023
- Approximately 4.80 lakh road accidents and around 1.72 lakh deaths, according to figures cited in the petition
- Children
- The plea sought effective implementation of age- and size-appropriate child restraints
Quotes
Dr Jothydev Kesavadev
Kerala diabetes specialist and researcher who filed the Supreme Court petition
“If you are putting a seat cover, make sure that there is ample space around the socket of the seat belt so that the seat belt can be engaged.”
indianexpress.com
“In 80% of the cabs when I am travelling, I have found that in the back seat, the seat belt won’t be functional.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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