DriveU Rolls Out Seat Belt Reminders to Promote Safer Journeys

It is a familiar sight on Indian roads. While the driver and front passenger usually buckle up, rear-seat passengers often don't. Many still believe the back seat is inherently safer and that seat belts are optional, especially during short trips within the city.

However, crash data tells a different story. In the event of a collision, rear-seat passengers not wearing seat belts face a significantly higher risk of serious injury. Children travelling without seat belts are even more vulnerable. More importantly, an unbelted rear-seat passenger can become a risk not only to themselves but also to other occupants in the vehicle.

As part of our ongoing efforts to build safer travel experiences for both customers and driver-partners, we have rolled out a new tech-enabled Seat Belt Reminder feature across the country. The feature encourages all occupants in the vehicle to buckle up before the trip begins, helping reinforce safer travel habits and creating greater awareness around rear-seat safety.

The Seat Belt Reminder prompts users to buckle up at the very start of every trip. Once a trip begins, both the driver and the user receive simultaneous in-app notifications, nudging them to fasten their seat belts before the journey continues. By integrating these timely prompts into the ride experience, DriveU aims to make seat belt usage a consistent habit, including for passengers seated in the back.

Beyond just reminders, the platform is leveraging technology-driven nudges—such as in-app notifications and audio cues—to build safer behaviour among users and driver-partners alike.

Speaking about the new feature, Rahm Shastry, DriveU CEO, said: “We believe that our work on safety is continuous. We are constantly exploring ways to enhance platform safety through technology-led interventions and stronger support systems. The Seat Belt Reminder is another step in that direction, helping us create safer journeys for both users and driver-partners.” 

According to government data, failure to wear helmets and seat belts remains a significant contributor to road fatalities in India. In 2024 alone, non-compliance accounted for nearly 39% of road deaths (69,088 fatalities). Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of death among vehicle occupants by up to 50%. 

Unbuckled rear-seat passengers are often seriously injured, and children without proper restraints are especially vulnerable. In several high-profile crashes, rear-seat occupants without seat belts have died even when others survived — showing that protection, not seating position, determines safety. The real issue, therefore, is uneven protection across the vehicle, with rear-seat belt use still treated as optional and non-use remaining a major contributor to fatalities.