KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - The 60-day countdown to the compulsory use of rear seat belts has begun.

Starting today, authorities will conduct daily operations to ensure rear seat passengers buckle up before it becomes compulsory on Jan 1.

Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said motorists must ensure passengers wear their seat belts if they did not want to have an interrupted journey.

'Otherwise the police will stop you, question you and give you a pep talk,' he told reporters after carrying out a road safety advocacy campaign on the Sungai Besi highway here yesterday.

Suret Singh said a survey among 2,000 respondents found that 70% to 75% were aware of the importance of wearing rear seat belts.

'However, 60% said they would start using them only when it becomes compulsory while 80% are not even aware that it will come into effect on Jan 1,' he said.

He also cautioned parents against having children under five wear adult seat belts and advised them to use child safety seats instead.

'As for those between the ages of five and 10, they can use the adult seat belt but will need a booster for height,' he said.

Suret Singh said that Proton and Perodua would be announcing in early December the schedule for the free fitting of rear seat belts for cars that do not come with them.

He said motorists with such cars need not rush to fit the rear seat belts as the department had given the manufacturers three years to ensure all such cars were fitted with rear seat belts.