World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Seat belt requirement now mandatory on Sri Lankan expressways
New traffic regulations require all passengers on expressways to wear seat belts, effective immediately. The enforcement comes after a one-year grace period allowed vehicle owners to install rear-seat belt systems.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Sri Lanka's Road Development Authority has begun enforcing mandatory seat belt usage across all expressway networks from today, marking the end of a phased implementation period that commenced twelve months ago.
The regulation stipulates that all passengers, including rear-seat occupants, must wear seat belts while travelling on expressway routes. The extended implementation timeline was granted to accommodate vehicle owners whose vehicles lacked proper rear-seat belt installations, allowing sufficient time for modifications and retrofitting.
Vehicles operating on expressways must now comply fully with the safety requirements. Operators and passengers who fail to adhere to the regulation face potential penalties under traffic laws. The initiative aligns with regional road safety standards and aims to reduce injury and fatality rates among expressway users.
Authorities have urged vehicle owners to ensure all seat belt systems are functional and properly installed before using expressway networks. The enforcement represents a significant step toward improving passenger safety across Sri Lanka's major transport corridors.