Ban on "Dummy Buckles" Urged to Enhance Road Safety
PETALING JAYA: A road safety expert and a consumer activist have urged the government to immediately ban the sale and possession of "dummy buckles", a device used to silence seat belt warning alarms in vehicles.
The Issue
According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Wong Shaw Voon, the ease with which these devices can be purchased on e-commerce platforms has led to a growing trend of motorists using them to avoid triggering the seatbelt alarm. In a recent traffic operation over the Chinese New Year period, 30% of the 195 offenders caught for not wearing their seatbelts were found to have used dummy buckles.
Experts’ Views
Wong urged the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to act on those selling the accessory, and for e-commerce platforms to be proactive and remove listings of the product. He emphasized that seat belts and seat belt reminders were designed to save lives, not to make life difficult, and that everyone should be saying no to using dummy buckles.
Malaysia Consumers Movement secretary-general Herby Dhillon concurred, stating that the possession and sale of the product must be made illegal, given the number of road accidents, including fatal ones. He emphasized that motorists must understand that seat belts are designed to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident and that laws making their use mandatory have been put in place for their own protection.
The Problem with Dummy Buckles
Dummy buckles are inserted into belt slots to prevent an alarm from triggering whenever a seat belt is not worn. A check by FMT found that the items could be purchased at RM5 or less on two major e-commerce platforms. This ease of access has led to a growing trend of motorists using the devices, with Negeri Sembilan road transport department director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf expressing concern over the issue.
Conclusion
The use of dummy buckles poses a significant threat to road safety, and it is imperative that the government takes immediate action to ban their sale and possession. The Malaysian public must also be aware of the risks associated with the use of these devices and advocate for their friends and family to wear their seatbelts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are dummy buckles a problem?
A: Dummy buckles are used to silence seat belt warning alarms, which can lead to a lack of awareness about seatbelt use and an increased risk of accidents and fatalities.
Q: How widespread is the use of dummy buckles?
A: According to a recent traffic operation, 30% of the 195 offenders caught for not wearing their seatbelts were found to have used dummy buckles.
Q: What are the consequences of using dummy buckles?
A: Using dummy buckles is a negligent act that breaks the law, and can lead to a range of negative consequences, including accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Q: How can the public get involved in promoting road safety?
A: The public can play an important role by advocating for their friends and family to wear their seatbelts and by reporting any instances of dummy buckle use to the authorities.