Dummy Buckle Usage: Findings from Survey

Abstract

The sale and usage of fake seat belt accessories or dummy buckles existed in Malaysia for quite some time. This study aims to identify the status of the usage of dummy buckles among car drivers or passengers. A survey among the public was conducted on 326 respondents in knowing the use, type, and reason why they use that accessory. The study found that 12.9% of the total respondents had experience using dummy buckles while driving. 12% of them use dummy buckle Type 2 (extender type), 72% of them stated that they use dummy buckle to avoid warning sounds of the seatbelt reminder (SBR), and 58.3% of them bought it at car accessory outlets. In conclusion, it is recommended that dummy buckles should be banned from the market due to the risks that emerge from misuse.