Sri Vijaya Puram: The Andaman & Nicobar Traffic Police have issued a safety advisory urging motorists, especially parents, to secure children properly in vehicles. Under Section 194B(2) of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, drivers allowing children under 14 to travel unrestrained or in unsafe positions will now face a ₹1,000 fine.
Authorities noted a troubling trend of unsafe practices such as letting children stand through sunroofs, sit on the driver’s lap, or roam freely inside moving vehicles. These behaviours, while sometimes seen as harmless or playful, pose a serious threat; even at low speeds, sudden braking or minor collisions can lead to severe injury or fatalities among unrestrained children.
To ensure safety, the police have mandated the use of seat belts or an appropriate Child Restraint System (CRS). A CRS is a specially designed seat or device that securely holds a child in a vehicle, protecting them during sudden stops or crashes. It includes infant carriers, booster seats, and convertible car seats, each tailored for different age groups, weights, and heights. While older children may use standard seat belts, smaller children, especially toddlers and infants, require a properly fitted CRS for optimal protection.
The police acknowledge that not all families may immediately have access to these systems. As such, a one-month grace period has been provided for parents and guardians to procure and start using suitable restraint systems. Authorities clarified that this period is advisory in nature, urging voluntary compliance in the interest of child safety.
Additionally, parents are strongly advised to place children in the rear seat of the vehicle, where the risk of impact is lower. Officials reiterated that no momentary convenience is worth risking a child’s life and urged all motorists to adopt these precautions as part of responsible road behaviour.
This initiative reflects broader national efforts to align vehicle safety standards with international norms, particularly concerning vulnerable passengers. With the grace period now in effect, enforcement is expected to begin in earnest, signalling a shift toward a more child-conscious driving culture across the islands.
