Mangaluru’s car users face a strict new rule: if even one passenger is found without a seat belt, the vehicle owner will be fined double. The city’s traffic police announced the move under the Smart City initiative, with AI-enabled cameras now monitoring compliance across major routes.
The crackdown follows the 2022 Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway tragedy, where industrialist Cyrus Mistry and Dr. Jehangir Pandole died as unbelted rear-seat passengers. Their deaths triggered nationwide calls for stricter enforcement. Karnataka later made seat belts mandatory for front-seat occupants, in line with Central Government directives, imposing fines of ₹1,000 for first-time offences and ₹2,000 for repeat violations.
In Mangaluru, the Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) has deployed AI-powered cameras capable of capturing high-resolution images of violations. Offenders receive an SMS challan the next day with photo evidence, location, and a ₹500 fine.
According to DCP (Crime and Traffic) K Ravishankar, “AI cameras are identifying offenders, and fines are being imposed. People must follow rules for their own safety.” Out of nearly 1,000 daily e-challans, around 300 are for seat belt violations, police said.
While driver compliance has risen since 2015, front-seat and rear passengers remain a concern. Experts warn that unbelted rear passengers face equal — if not greater — risks, often endangering those in front during crashes.
Public opinion is mixed: some welcome stricter rules, while others argue awareness campaigns should precede penalties. Traffic officials maintain that enforcement is vital, stressing that “rules are meant to save lives, not just penalise.”