NEW DELHI: The 45-year-old woman who was killed after she was flung out of her SUV on Bharat Nagar flyover was allegedly not wearing a seat belt, initial investigation has suggested. The police have roped in forensic officials from a Rohini lab to get clarity on the clash and death.
"Not wearing a seat belt can cause fatal injuries. Research shows that they reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by half. It is a possibility that the woman's life could have been saved had she used the seat belt," a senior police officer said. In a number of accidents, not wearing seat belts have caused injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, neck and spine apart from whiplash, brain and skeletal injuries, the officer added.
"The tragic incident underlines the importance of wearing seat belts. Those who prefer to travel without it must realise that the seat belt is a life-saving device. It must be worne for one's own protection, and not just to avoid being challaned.-Timesview"
Delhi Traffic Police officials say they conduct regular prosecutions to deter people from flouting the norm. The police had earlier announced that they would even prosecute rear seat passengers if they are not wearing seat belts.
However, wearing of seat belts by occupants is scarcely followed despite the penalty for the offence having been increased to Rs 1,000 under the newly amended Motor Vehicle Act.
Earlier, the seat belt norm was applicable for only driver and the person sitting on the front seat, a senior official pointed out. However, the amended rules specify that everyone in a car, including the "person seated on the front seat or the persons occupying front-facing rear seats" must wear seat belts while the vehicle is in motion. In the Bharat Nagar case, the police have filed an FIR and are waiting for an autopsy report.
