I am sure that most drivers detest seat belts because it is troublesome and normally, only the driver and front passenger would use the seat belts during a ride while those in the rear will just relax. Considering the fact that most victims in a car accidents are rear passengers, Singapore’s traffic department revised the law in 1st Jan 1993 that even rear passengers would have to use the seat belts during a ride.
Talking about the strictness, it does not spare neither foreigners nor public service like taxi. It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure his passengers use the seat belts during a ride or he will face points demerit and a fine, same goes if the driver him/herself did not use the seat belts. As for the case of passengers, they would be paying only a fine. That is why taxi drivers in Singapore would ask its passengers to use the seat belts whenever someone enters the vehicle.
FINE: S$ 120 and 3 demerit points for drivers, S$ 120 for passenger(s).
Reference
1. “Seat beat rule”, Singapore Police Force