Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Mandatory seat belt requirement for all expressway passengers begins September 20
Sri Lanka will enforce mandatory seat belt use for all vehicle passengers on expressways from September 20, following parliamentary approval of the new road safety regulation.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The mandatory seat belt requirement takes effect across all expressway networks in Sri Lanka on September 20, marking a significant shift in the country's road safety regulations. The measure, which has received parliamentary backing, applies to all passengers regardless of seating position within vehicles travelling on expressway routes.
The implementation aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries resulting from traffic accidents on high-speed corridors. Safety authorities have emphasised that seat belt compliance remains one of the most effective injury prevention measures during vehicle collisions and sudden braking situations.
Vehicle operators and passengers are advised to familiarise themselves with the new requirements ahead of the enforcement date. Failure to comply with the mandatory seat belt regulation may result in penalties under Sri Lanka's updated traffic safety legislation.
The regulation represents part of a broader national initiative to enhance road safety standards and reduce accident-related casualties on expressway networks, which experience significant daily traffic volumes connecting major urban and commercial centres across the island.