The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is set to enforce seatbelt use for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles nationwide, said its Director-General, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
Although he did not reveal the exact start date for the enforcement, Datuk Aedy said JPJ’s current priority is to promote seatbelt usage through advocacy campaigns, including the “Click Before You Drive” initiative.
Launched on Thursday, the campaign aims to strengthen road safety culture and highlight the importance of seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants, including drivers and passengers.
“In line with this campaign, we will announce the enforcement for seatbelt use among private vehicle passengers at a later date. For now, we are focusing on advocacy through the ‘Click Before You Drive’ campaign, and the enforcement date will be shared later,” he said during a press conference on Thursday.
Individuals who fail to wear a seatbelt could face a fine of up to RM300 under the Motor Vehicle Rules (Seatbelt and Child Restraint System) 1978 (amended 2019).
Datuk Aedy emphasized that the campaign reflects JPJ’s commitment to ensuring every journey begins with the most basic safety measure: wearing a seatbelt.
According to research by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death for vehicle occupants by up to 50% in the event of an accident.
“Wearing a seatbelt ensures that drivers and passengers remain in their seats during a crash, unlike those who do not wear one, who face a higher risk of injury. JPJ will continue to run advocacy programs, public awareness campaigns, and regular inspections to achieve optimal compliance,” he said.
“JPJ is committed to making seatbelt use a national safety norm to protect every road user’s life,” he added.
Meanwhile, Datuk Aedy noted that seatbelt enforcement is already in place for drivers and passengers on express and tour buses.
“We have started the enforcement, and we issue fines to passengers who do not wear seatbelts,” he said.
All drivers and passengers on express and tour buses have been required to wear seatbelts since July 1, 2025. The rule applies to buses built after January 2020, while older buses have been given time to install seatbelts.
