The transport ministry is working with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to prohibit the sale of dummy seat belt buckles, a device used by vehicle owners to bypass seat belt alarms.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook emphasised the dangers of using these buckles, stating that they allow motorists to deceive seat belt sensors, putting their safety at risk. Despite growing concerns, he acknowledged that the transport ministry does not have the authority to confiscate or ban these accessories. To address this limitation, discussions are underway with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to implement a ban on their sale and distribution.
The issue gained attention following a statement from the Negeri Sembilan road transport department, which highlighted a rising trend of vehicle owners using dummy buckles instead of wearing seat belts. During a Chinese New Year traffic operation, enforcement officers discovered that nearly 30% of the 195 motorists caught for not wearing seat belts had used the device to disable their seat belt alarms.
Authorities have expressed concerns that the continued availability of these buckles could encourage more motorists to neglect basic safety measures. The transport ministry is expected to take further steps to curb their use once discussions with the relevant authorities are finalized.
