SEPANG(Malaysia): Beginning Oct 1, Honda Malaysia will install free rear centre seat belts for 25,480 of its Civic cars sold between 2003 and 2005.

Its managing director and chief executive officer, Atsushi Fujimoto, made the announcement at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the company and the Road Safety Department here yesterday.

He said Honda was the first foreign car manufacturer to offer to install rear seat belts for free.

"We will contact the owners and the offer applies even for those cars that have changed ownership. For this year, we are also extending our safety driving courses to benefit more than 400 customers, to raise awareness on the importance of safety driving."

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, in his speech read by ministry secretary-general Datuk Zakaria Bahari, said such safety initiatives could help to reduce road mortality by 50 per cent as well as reduce serious and light injuries by 45 and 50 per cent for rear passengers.

Studies done by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) showed the use of rear seat belts by private car owners prevented 175 deaths, 350 cases of serious injuries and 1,050 cases of light injuries based on last year's statistics.

Ong said the police and the Road Safety Department, assisted by the Automobile Association Malaysia, Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan and Besraya Highway, had conducted advocacy campaigns at toll plazas and rest and recreation areas to promote the use of rear seat belts.

"This resulted in an increased usage from one to 17 per cent along the highways and from one to four per cent in town areas."

At a press conference later, Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said Proton and Perodua cars would begin their free installation on Jan 1.

As a result of the large number of cars involved, dealers needed time to order supplies for the different models, he said.

Suret said his department would also be working on partnerships with other car manufacturers to enhance road safety.