When will seatbelts become a norm in Kashmir?

As I traveled through the picturesque Lolab Valley in a passenger Tavera, something caught my attention that was as surprising as it was unsettling. The driver, who had been navigating the winding roads with evident skill, suddenly fumbled for his seatbelt as we approached a traffic scout in the distance. With a quick glance in the rearview mirror, he secured the belt across his chest, all the while keeping his eyes on the road and the approaching scout.

It was a swift, practiced move that left me wondering—why wasn’t he wearing it in the first place?
When the traffic scout stopped us, they checked the driver’s documents and license. Everything was in order, and soon we were on our way. No sooner had we pulled away from the scout’s line of sight than the driver casually unbuckled his seatbelt and resumed his journey as if nothing had happened.

This small, seemingly insignificant act raised a question in my mind: Why do our drivers treat such an essential safety measure so lightly?

The seatbelt is not just a piece of fabric or a legal requirement; it is a life-saving device. Statistics from around the world have repeatedly shown that wearing a seatbelt can significantly reduce the risk of death or serious injury in the event of an accident. Yet, in Kashmir, the habit of wearing a seatbelt seems to be more about avoiding fines than ensuring personal safety.

This driver’s behavior, which I suspect is not uncommon, speaks volumes about the broader attitude toward road safety in our region. The act of hurriedly putting on a seatbelt when a traffic officer is in sight, only to remove it as soon as the perceived threat of a fine has passed, reveals a concerning lack of understanding or concern about the true purpose of this safety measure.

Why is it that in Kashmir, wearing a seatbelt is seen more as a chore or a way to avoid a penalty rather than as a necessary precaution? Is it a lack of awareness, a cultural disregard for safety protocols, or simply a case of habit—or rather, the lack thereof?

The roots of this issue may lie in a combination of these factors. For one, road safety education in our region is often minimal, with many drivers receiving little more than basic training on the mechanics of driving. There is often no emphasis on the importance of safety features such as seatbelts, airbags, or even the dangers of speeding. As a result, drivers may not fully appreciate the life-saving potential of wearing a seatbelt.

Cultural attitudes also play a role. In many parts of Kashmir, there is a certain bravado associated with driving, a sense that safety measures are unnecessary or even emasculating. The notion that "real" drivers don’t need to wear a seatbelt because they are too skilled to get into an accident is a dangerous and deeply flawed one. It perpetuates a disregard for safety that can have fatal consequences.

The day when wearing a seatbelt becomes a habit in Kashmir—when every driver understands its importance and puts it on as naturally as they start the engine—still seems distant. However, this change is not impossible. It requires a concerted effort from multiple fronts: better road safety education, consistent enforcement of traffic laws, and a cultural shift in attitudes toward driving and safety.

Educational campaigns that focus on the real-world benefits of seatbelt use could go a long way in changing perceptions. Schools and driving institutes could incorporate these lessons into their curricula, emphasizing not just how to drive, but how to drive safely.

Moreover, traffic police must be vigilant in enforcing seatbelt laws not just as a formality but as a genuine effort to protect lives. The fines for not wearing a seatbelt should be accompanied by awareness programs that highlight why this law exists in the first place.

Cultural change is perhaps the hardest to achieve, but it is also the most crucial. Influencers, community leaders, and even religious figures could play a role in promoting the idea that taking precautions like wearing a seatbelt is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom and care for oneself and others.

As I continued my journey through the Lolab Valley, the driver’s smile after unbuckling his seatbelt lingered in my mind. It was a smile that said, "I’ve done my part." But the truth is, the part was only half done. The real task is to make sure that the habit of wearing a seatbelt, for every driver and passenger in Kashmir, is not something that is done out of fear of fines, but out of a genuine understanding of its importance.

Until that day comes, we must continue to ask ourselves and each other: When will we see seatbelt safety not as an option, but as a necessity? When will our roads be filled with drivers who buckle up not because they have to, but because they want to? The answers lie in education, enforcement, and the slow but steady shift in cultural norms—a shift that, one hopes, will happen before more lives are needlessly lost.

The author is an educator.