DVLA to train mechanics on seat belts
More than 300 mechanics from 65 garages across the country are to undergo training on the effective way of installing seat belts on vehicles.
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The three-week training, which begins in October 2014, will be organised by a seat belt manufacturer under the supervision of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the training, the Chief Executive of the DVLA, Mr Rudolph Beckley, said the training of the mechanics was in line with the authority's directive to not register new passenger vehicles which do not have seat belts fitted to each seat from September 2014.
Besides, he said, the DVLA would, from March 2015, not renew the road worthiness of commercial vehicles which do not have seat belts fitted to each seats.
The directives seek to enforce the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument (LI) 2180), which requires the installation of seat belts on vehicles.
The LI 2180, which was passed by Parliament in 2012, lays emphasis on the use of seat belts. It gives a two-year period of grace for implementation.
Section 119 (1) of the LI states: “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is fitted with a seat belt.”
Training
Mr Beckley said a manufacturer of seat belts, who would be contracted through the public procurement process, would be required to supply, deliver and install the seat belts.
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Besides, the manufacturer would have to train mechanics from selected garages on the effective way of fitting seat belts on vehicles.
The DVLA CEO said the first batch of 65 garages were selected in consultation with the Ghana National Association of Garages, adding that after the training, the mechanics would be given certificates to empower them to fit seat belts on vehicles.
Mr Beckley warned that any uncertified mechanic who would be found to be fitting seat belts on vehicles would be arrested and dealt with according to the law.
He cautioned the public that "any vehicle whose seat belt will be fixed by an uncertified mechanic will not be registered".
Quality of seat belts
Mr Beckley stated that the DVLA had already come up with specifications for the seat belts, such as the strength of retractors, the point of contact, the minimum allowable space within seatbelts and the quality of the belts.
Therefore, he said, the manufacturer would have to comply with the specifications.
He said the first batch of seat belts was expected to arrive in the country by December 2014.
Mr Beckley said it was only the DVLA which would be in charge of selling the belts to maintain standards.
Importance of seat belts
Seat belts prevent people from colliding forcefully with one another or sustaining internal bleeding during accidents.
The DVLA CEO said the enforcement of the use of seat belts was one of the measures that the DVLA, together with the National Road Safety Commission and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), was taking to achieve a 50– per cent reduction in deaths and serious injuries associated with vehicle accidents by 2020.