Telangana RTC tightens safety with mandatory seat belts
HYDERABAD: Travellers seated next to drivers in Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses must now wear seat belts, as the corporation has made them mandatory for both drivers and front-seat passengers. Senior RTC officials have directed depot managers across the state to install seat belts on a war footing.
Seat belts mandatory for driver and front passenger
Officials said the move follows repeated accidents in which bus drivers, who were not wearing seat belts, suffered serious injuries or died after being thrown forward on impact. “Wearing a seat belt can save lives in case of a collision. It has been made compulsory not only for car drivers but now for RTC buses as well,” an official said.
Depot managers have begun fitting belts in all buses, ensuring that both the driver and the single front seat beside the driver are equipped.
Action following RTI query
The decision reportedly came after a Hyderabad-based individual filed a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking details about seat belt usage in RTC buses — including whether seat belts were provided and if drivers were using them. This prompted the corporation to review safety compliance and tighten enforcement.
