Come January 1st 2009, the rear seatbelt rule will come into effect. Based on the recent poll and the observation on the comments streaming in through the website (here and here), it is amazing to see how some of us can come out with the excuses that totally miss the point. 

Where do they get the idea that the government is trying to make money by making the rear seatbelt compulsory? 

Even before the ruling was made, careful considerations were given to the feasibility and economic impact. Hence the exemptions for vehicles registered before 1st January 1995. Vehicles belonging to this category are about 14 years of age. Even that, some leeway is given to vehicles registered after 1st Januay 1995. 

The point of this whole exercise is to save lives. It is easy for armchair critiques to easily get carried away without reading through the fine print of the ruling. There is no hidden agenda but to save lives.

When the rear seatbelt ruling was announced, it was a mixed bag of reaction from the public. It is surprising (and alarming!) that some feels this is a hassle. Since now is still the ‘introductory’ period (no enforcement yet), I conduct a quick survey by observing cars around me at USJ Summit-KESAS interchange traffic light. Almost all cars with rear passengers does not use seatbelt and of course there are “heroes” at the front not wearing seatbelts at all.

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Do you have an annecdote or story on how seatbelt saved your life? Or how it saved the life of your loved ones be it your spouse, children, relative or someone you know?

Leave your story on our comments section below. We are compiling these stories to be part of our road education programme. Your story may save someone’s life.

p/s - Read how rear seatbelt saved an ISA detainee’s wife and son here.

Last week Thursday (22 May) I was travelling towards Mid Valley from PJ Cycle & Carriage building. For that short distance, I was stuck for 2 hours. The problem was further compounded by inconsiderate users who use emergency lanes and then joining in the traffic when they reach the end lane. In normal social interaction, Malaysians are known for their politeness but when we’re on the road, we are different animal all together. This is where the ugly traits of human rear its head - selfishness. Me first, i don’t care about you.

Picture of the “Hero” Using Emergency Lane

It’s not like you will get to your destination faster by weaving in and out of the emergency lane. You’ll probably shave off few minutes but what if there is emergency vehicle wanting to use that lane? It did happen on that night. The emergency lane was jammed as well! I pray for whoever is in the ambulance will reach the hospital in time.