Patna: The transport department will crack down again on those not wearing seatbelts in the front seat of cars, restarting a drive that had taken a backseat for the past few weeks.

The department is already carrying out drives every Saturday against two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets.

During the seatbelt drive, it was noticed that residents were wearing it but gradually it was discontinued owing to laxity on the transport department's side.

In between, the e-chalan system was launched but it focused on traffic signal jumping and overshooting the zebra crossing when e-chalans were sent to violators at their respective addresses.

However, the seatbelt-wearing culture seems to have been forgotten by residents of Patna.

Transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told The Telegraph: "We will start a random drive from next week in Patna and any day inspections would be carried out by enforcement sub-inspectors in the city at several roundabouts. We will ensure that people get into the habit of wearing the seatbelt while driving."

Not wearing a seatbelt is violation of the provisions of Rule 138(3) which is a punishable offence under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, with a fine of Rs 600. In case, the offence is repeated, the licence gets cancelled as well.

In the past as well, traffic police have launched several drives in the city but after a few days, the drive fizzles out and ultimately disappears. However, the transport department took up the matter seriously and launched continuous drives not only in Patna but across the state to make people aware about safety while driving.

In the beginning, the focus was on helmet but in the past three months, the department ensured that apart from helmets even the seatbelt drive would be given equal preference.

"We want to inculcate the habit of the wearing seatbelt among the residents of Patna. As of now the drive is only restricted to the state capital but in the coming days we will ensure that such drives are also launched in other districts. At present, we have focused on the helmet," Agarwal said.

The transport secretary stressed that there would no prior announcement of the seatbelt drive and it will be carried out any day.

He also stressed that now the drive will continue for some time until people get into the habit of wearing seatbelts.

During Saturday's drive, a total of 4,749 vehicles were fined for different offences which include fine for wrong-lane driving, fine for not having high security registration plates, fine for not having speed governor and fine for not wearing helmet.

The drive was conducted in all the 38 districts and a total penalty of Rs 13,01,000 was collected.