Drivers will from January 1, 2003, be required to buckle up or face prosecution when the seatbelt law passed in May goes into effect
This was confirmed in a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) this week.
Earlier Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent, Fred Wilson, had told Stabroek News that the seatbelt law would soon be enforced. He further said a campaign to sensitise the public on the correct use of seatbelts will soon start.
Once enforced, the law according to Wilson, would be monitored in the same way as other traffic laws are done - through routine checks. The penalty if one is caught flouting the law is expected to act as an incentive to use seatbelts. Fines start at $7,500 for a first offence and $10,000 for subsequent breaches.
The traffic chief did acknowledge that there has been a noticeable increase in the use of safety belts by drivers and those seated in the front seats of motor vehicles.
He was satisfied that as more persons become conscious of the fact that wearing the belt would safeguard them against serious injuries they would willingly comply.