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The seat belt laws have been in effect since 1993. Vehicles registered on or after 1 Jan 93 must have rear seat belts in addition to the front seat belts. To ensure compliance to the rule, Traffic Police's focus has been more on educating the public on how seat belts save lives along with selective enforcement. Among the many campaigns conducted by Police since 1992, one of them includes the spotting and rewarding of motorists who belted up. EMAS signs like 'Child Seats save lives' and 'belt up for a safe trip' on the expressways serve as gentle reminders to motorists to belt up.
From time to time we have rear seat passengers dying or getting seriously injured because they had not used their seat belts. This is a cause for concern. Police wish to help motorists cultivate the good habit of belting up in the interest of safe motoring. Our enforcement officers will be reasonable in their enforcement of the seat belt laws and will take cognizance of special circumstances should they come across them.
Here's a list of most commonly asked questions, along with the answer to each of them, to facilitate public's understanding on this matter. If you require clarification, you may email to Traffic Police at SPF_Feedback_TP@spf.gov.sg .
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All cars registered in Singapore on or after 1st Jan 1973 will need to observe front seat belt rules.
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All cars registered on or after 1st Jan 1993 will have to observe rear seat belt rules.
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Cars registered before1st Jan 1993 but have rear seat belts must also observe the rules.
It is illegal to remove installed rear seat belts. If the belts are damaged, they must be sent for repair.
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Does the law on seat belts apply to foreign registered cars?
The law only applies to Singapore registered vehicles. However, foreign registered cars with seat belts are strongly encouraged to belt up for their own safety.
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What if taxi do not have child seats?
Taxi are exempted from the child seat requirement, as it would not be reasonable or practical for them to carry the variety of different-size child seats suitable for children of different ages. Parents should take precaution and ensure that the child sits still and not jump about in the taxi.
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What can the taxi drivers do if their passengers refuse to belt up?
Taxi drivers will have to tell their passengers that the law requires them to belt up and that both the driver and the passenger will be penalized for not abiding by the law.
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For taxi drivers, is it true that if passengers refuse to wear seat belts and the drivers are penalized- the drivers can submit their appeals to TP?
Taxi drivers are strongly urged to advise their passengers to use the seat belts as the drivers will be penalized when caught. Appeals may be made to the Traffic Police and each case will be assessed on its own merits.
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If I have more passengers than available seatbelts, who should be belted up?
The seat belt rule requires all available seat belts in the vehicle to be used up. You may choose to carry more passengers than the number of seat belts in your car but you have to be mindful that you are taking a risk in respect of over capacity for the vehicle, which is reflected in the vehicle log card. The choice of who should be belted up, children or adults, is made by you with due consideration to the space constraint in the vehicle so long as belts are all used up. We do not take enforcement action against such situations.
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Are pregnant women required to use seat belts?
The law does not exempt pregnant women from the seat belt rules. The public might wish to note that it is safer for a pregnant woman to be belted up as it protects the fetus. For those in advanced stages of pregnancy, they are advised to tuck the lap belt just below their stomach area for comfort and safer use. However, if one wishes to be exempted from the rule one will need to submit a medical certification to Traffic Police for consideration.
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How do I apply for an exemption if I have a medical condition that does not allow me to wear seat belts?
You may get a letter from your family doctor and submit it to the Traffic Police or Ministry of Health.
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What are the penalties for drivers and passengers of private cars who are not belted up?
A $120 fine will be imposed on the passenger who is not belted up. The driver will be fined $120 and given 3 demerit points for failing to ensure that his passenger is belted up. (If e.g. 3 passengers are not belted up, the driver will be fined only $120 and given 3 demerit points for not ensuring that his 3 passengers are belted up.)
If the driver is not belted up, he/she will be fined $120 and given 3 demerit points.
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Will police officers just issue summonses after taking down the car number without stopping to check and verify?
Police officers will stop the car to check and verify when an offence has been committed.
If an offence is committed, a summons will be issued.
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What are the penalties for taxi passengers who are not belted up?
They will be fined $120 each. The taxi driver will be fined $120 and given 3 demerit points for failing to ensure that his passengers are belted up.
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Does an adult below 1.5m need a booster seat?
Adults below the height of 1.5m are exempted from the law. They may choose to use the booster seat if they wish to wear the seat belts comfortably and effectively.
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If my friend has a kid who is below 8 years old and they want to hitch a ride in my car and my car has no child seats, will I be penalized if I were stopped by TP?
All private vehicles that come with seat belts will have to abide by the seat belt rules so if you have a child below 8 years old travelling with you, you will need to have a child seat for him. Generally, our officers will exercise flexibility if such rides are infrequent and on ad-hoc basis. However, if the rides are frequent or regular, it is advised that you discuss with your friend on investing in a child seat.
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If I wear a seat belt, wouldn't I risk being trapped in a burning or submerged car?
Less than one-half of one percent of all injury producing collisions involve fire or submersion. However, if fire or submersion does occur, wearing a seat belt can save your life. If you are involved in a crash without your seat belt, you might be stunned or knocked unconscious by striking the interior of the car. This can significantly reduce your chances of escaping from a burning or submerged car.
You are better off wearing a safety belt at all times in an automobile. With seat belts, you are more likely to be unhurt, alert and capable of escaping quickly.
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If I don't wear a seat belt and am hurt in an accident, it does not affect anyone else. If I choose not to be belted up, am I not merely exercising a personal right?
Seat belt use is more than just a personal right. From time to time we have rear seat passengers dying or getting seriously injured because they had not used their seat belts. This is a cause for concern. Motorists should cultivate the good habit of belting up in the interest of safe motoring. We must also realize that for every unnecessary injury or fatality resulting from a collision, there are economic costs to society. This include medical costs and subsidies as well as the loss of contribution to the economy by the economically active. Besides, an unbelted person might cause injury to belted passengers in the same car by knocking into them.
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Isn't the rear seat safe enough not to need a safety seat?
Studies have shown that wearing rear seat belts save lives. Research has found that rear seat passengers who did not belt up were flung forward during accidents. They became human projectiles which were hurled forward at great force, almost always causing very serious injuries to the passengers in front. The research also estimated that 79% of deaths of front seat occupants could have been prevented if the rear-seat passengers had worn seat belts.
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What if I need to get my child out of the car quickly? Won't a child restraint delay me?
Such cases are rare. Furthermore, most child safety seats have quick-release buckles, making it easy for adults to unfasten.
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How can I get my child used to a safety seat?
Present the safety seat as a special place for the child to sit. You can also allow toddlers to play with the seat in the house, using it to hold their dolls or teddy bears.
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What if my child is below 8, but big-sized. Does he still have to wear a child restraint?
In such cases, children should use booster seats to raise their height to the level where they can safely use adult seat belts. Traffic Police will exercise flexibility in these cases.
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Will my baby be uncomfortable in a baby capsule?
You could try padding the seat with other soft materials.
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Why must children below 8 years be secured in child safety seats?
Most Singaporean children below 8 are not tall enough to use a seat belt safely. They are therefore best protected in a child safety seat.
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How can I encourage active children to remain in a safety seat?
Try to keep their attention occupied with soft toys or books. If possible, an adult should sit next to the child and tell stories, play games etc.
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