The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) said using this accessory can cause safety components such as airbags not to function optimally.

This will in turn cause loss of protection for the driver and passengers during an accident.

A Miros study in 2020, showed more than 12% of drivers were using this accessory and feared this number would go up further.

Concerned over the matter, Miros, with the cooperation of the transport ministry and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), had produced a video advising people to focus on the abuse of this dummy seat belt buckle.

“The dummy buckle is currently a fad among drivers as it is widely available at convenience stores as well as online sales portals at a low price.

“In an accident, the dummy buckle can cause the victim to suffer chest injury if he hits the steering wheel and dashboard, or if thrown out of the vehicle in the impact of collision,” it said in a statement today.

The video can be viewed via selected television channels as well as the social media sites of Miros and Finas: https://cloud.miros.gov.my/cloud/index.php/s/TXQKWbzmLdkSbNp .