The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is stepping up its road safety efforts with plans to enforce compulsory seatbelt use for everyone in private vehicles, including passengers in the back seat. While the exact date for enforcement has yet to be revealed, JPJ says the focus for now is on education and awareness before penalties come into play.
The latest initiative comes under the ‘Klik Sebelum Gerak’ campaign, which was launched to remind Malaysians that the simplest habit—buckling up—can be the most effective safety measure.
According to Bernama, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli explained that the campaign is designed to build awareness before enforcement begins. The department will confirm the official start date later, but the direction is clear: wearing a seatbelt will soon be non-negotiable for all car occupants.
For those wondering about the consequences of ignoring the rule, the Motor Vehicles (Seatbelt and Child Restraint System) Rules 1978, last updated in 2019, outlines fines of up to RM300 for failing to buckle up. JPJ has made it clear that this step isn’t just about compliance, but about creating a lasting culture of safety on Malaysian roads.
Studies have long backed the effectiveness of seatbelts, and JPJ has leaned on research from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) to emphasise the point. MIROS data shows that using a seatbelt can cut the risk of passenger fatalities by half during a crash. Keeping passengers restrained in their seats makes the difference between walking away or suffering severe injuries, while those without seatbelts are at far greater risk.
The campaign is also meant to reinforce JPJ’s message that seatbelt use should be second nature, not just for drivers but for every passenger. Regular advocacy programmes, information campaigns, and inspections will continue alongside the new enforcement measures to ensure drivers and passengers take the rule seriously.
This isn’t JPJ’s first move on seatbelt enforcement this year. From 1 July 2025, express and tour buses already came under similar regulations, with summonses being issued to passengers caught without their belts on. The ruling currently applies to buses manufactured after January 2020, with older vehicles being given a grace period to retrofit seatbelts.
By gradually rolling out these measures across all modes of transport, JPJ hopes to embed the simple act of buckling up into the daily routine of Malaysians. With campaigns now in place and enforcement around the corner, it looks like there’s no escaping the message: before you drive, click your seatbelt.
