BUCKLE UP to save your life - this is the message that keeps getting hammered home for motorists not just in Malaysia, but throughout the world.
Malaysia, like many other countries, also legislates proper seatbelt usage under the Motor Vehicles Rules (Seatbelt) (2008 Amendment). Most new cars now come with built-in seatbelt alarms to alert drivers and passengers when a seatbelt is not being worn.
However, some irresponsible road users have taken to using "dummy buckles" to silence the alarm while not wearing their seatbelt.
Is it true that a rising number of vehicle owners are using such "dummy buckles"?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Negri Sembilan Road Transport Department (JPJ) director told Bernama that there is a rising trend of such cases.
He said that during the special Chinese New Year operation, the highest number of notices issued was for not wearing seatbelts, with 195 offences reported.
"We found that more than 30% of drivers prefer to wear the 'dummy buckle' to silence the sound of the seatbelt reminder, and their excuse is that it (the seatbelt) is uncomfortable or that they forgot... but that is a major offence because it can result in severe injury or death in the event of a crash.
"The use of this accessory is seen to be widespread and becoming a trend these days and that is not a good sign. We need to pay immediate attention to this matter,” he told Bernama after the special operation in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at the Senawang Toll Plaza that ended on Sunday (Feb 7).
Hanif Yusabra also said that as a result of its officers going undercover by boarding 70 buses throughout the operation, JPJ found that there was an increased awareness of safety among bus drivers.
However, he said there were still drivers who committed offences while driving, including continuously driving on the right lane (31 cases); picking up and dropping off passengers at unauthorised stops (12 cases); no second driver (10 cases); using mobile phones (three cases); smoking (two cases); and not maintaining a log book (four cases).
He said inspections and audits of bus service operations compliance at the terminal resulted in action taken against 24 buses, with 38 notices issued for non-compliance with the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1967 and 12 notices under the Land Public Transport Act (APAD) 2010.
"In terms of conduct, we see that it is improving. There are also fewer cases of drivers smoking or using handphones while driving. But there are still some who disobey the rules,” he said. - Bernama
