90% of bus passengers are not wearing seat belts

On the 16th, the province conducted a special operation to address the issue of bus passengers not wearing seat belts. In Jinan, traffic police carried out inspections on buses traveling through key areas. The results were alarming—nearly 90% of passengers were found without seat belts fastened. Early that morning, at the Jinan Steel Inspection Station on North Industrial Road, officers from the Licheng Traffic Police Brigade’s Steel Squadron inspected several buses. Among them was a bus traveling from the East Long-distance Bus Station to Zhangqiuing Family House. Though the vehicle met all safety standards, only 5 out of 16 passengers had their seat belts on. When questioned, one passenger shrugged and said, “It’s hard to tie it.” Another bus heading to Zouping was also checked. It was officially rated for 33 passengers but carried exactly 33. Yet again, none of the passengers were wearing seat belts. Many saw seat belts as unnecessary, believing they wouldn’t be involved in an accident. Reporters later boarded three more medium-distance coaches and confirmed that over 90% of passengers were not using seat belts. Zhang Chengbin, a coach from the Licheng Vehicle Management Unit, emphasized the importance of seat belts. “In a critical moment, seat belts can save lives,” he said. He explained that most buses lack reinforced structures, making them vulnerable in collisions. Even if the vehicle is damaged, seat belts are essential for passenger safety. “Many passengers don’t take safety seriously. They feel lucky and ignore these small details,” Zhang added. He noted that unlike drivers, passengers aren’t subject to fines or detention for not wearing seat belts. Without legal enforcement, it relies entirely on personal responsibility. According to Article 51 of China’s Road Traffic Safety Law, drivers and passengers must use seat belts when vehicles are in motion. However, there are no strict penalties for passengers who fail to comply. As one Jinan traffic officer explained, “We can’t legally punish them. We can only advise and persuade.” This incident highlights a growing concern about public awareness of road safety. While laws exist, enforcement remains a challenge, and education is needed to change behavior and save lives.

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