Do not buy: Malaysia is looking into banning dummy buckles.
PETALING JAYA: While wearing a seatbelt may seem like a menial task upon entering a vehicle, road safety experts say its use, together with functioning airbags, greatly enhances passenger safety in the event of a collision.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon, however, warned that this does not mean drivers can speed and escape unscathed if they are involved in accidents.
He said front-seat passengers could reduce the rate of facilities or severe injuries by up to 70% if they wear seatbelts, in tandem with the deployment of airbags.
The severity of injuries to a vehicle's passengers is greatly impacted by the rate of the vehicle's deceleration, he added.
"If you do not wear a seatbelt and are involved in a collision, you risk being pushed around once the airbags are deployed."
He added that the impact of deployed airbags alone can sometimes cause fractures or dislocations if the passenger is not secured by a seatbelt.
"If you wear the seatbelt, however, the risk can be lower," he said.
In welcoming the proposal to ban sales of "dummy buckles", Wong said people tend to use the product to bypass loud sound alerts issued by the car's internal system when a passenger does not wear the seatbelt.
"We have to remind ourselves why the alerts are there in the first place. It's a reminder to keep yourself safe when you are driving," he added.
A dummy buckle resembles a real seatbelt buckle without the seatbelt itself.
Using this accessory will silence the seatbelt use reminder.
Apart from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, which has the authority to monitor the sales of these items physically and on social media, Wong said more authorities should be roped in to assist with enforcement.
"Make a report if you know of a place selling this product," he said.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Engineering Faculty's Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said rear seat passenger seatbelt usage also greatly minimises the risk of severe injury and fatalities.
"While rear seat passengers are further away from the windshield and dashboard, they are also at high risk.
"Rear seat passengers without seatbelts can become untethered 'objects' that harm both themselves and other passengers in the vehicle," he said.
Rear passengers in vehicles were required to use seatbelts from Jan 1, 2009, following the enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Rules (Seatbelt) (2008 Amendment).
Any vehicle drivers and passengers who do not use a seatbelt (front or rear) can be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed for one year or both, according to information from the Road Transport Department's website.
Law emphasised the importance of public awareness campaigns on the dangers of dummy buckles together with the enforcement against errant sellers.
"Strict penalties should be slapped on retailers found selling them. Targeted enforcement operations should be conducted," he said.
He also proposed introducing specific penalties for those found using dummy buckles and possibly increasing fines for those not wearing seatbelts.
"The proposed ban of dummy seatbelt buckles is a welcome move to improve road safety in the country. By taking action, Malaysia can lower road fatalities and injuries, making travel safer for all road users," he added.
On Monday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government is looking into banning the sale of seatbelt buckle disablers.
