Ah, Malaysia - a land vibrant culture, delicious food, and apparently, a certain unique preference for dummy seatbelts. Yes you read that right. The same safety feature designed to save lives is often seen as more of a "suggestion" than a rule. But why so many Malaysians into the idea of using a dummy seatbelt buckle? Buckle up, folks, as we take a funny yet cautionary look at the reasons why bizarre habit has become so popular.

• The "I'm too cool for seatbelts" syndrome

You know that one friend who refuses to wear a helmet when riding a bike or refuses to wear sunscreen because "they don't want to look a ghost"? Some Malaysian drivers have taken this mentality to the next level with seatbelts. "It's not about safety," they say. "It's about style." So, they'll pop in a dummy seatbelt and cruise through the streets like a bad boy in a fast and furious movie. Just minus the car stunts and the actual safety.

But here's the thing - style doesn't protect you in a crash. A dummy seatbelt may make you look "compliant", but when things go south, it's not going to save your skin (literally).

• The "I'm just avoiding the beep" drama

Imagine driving on a hot, sunny day, windows down, your favourite playlist blasting and then it happens "beep beep beep beep". The dreaded sound of your car reminding you to "click it or ticket". What do you do? For some, it's and easy fix. A quick click of the dummy seatbelt buckle, and boom, silence. But here's the thing: while you might think you've outsmarted the car's warning system, you're only fooling yourself. That beep is there for your own safety - not ruin your vibe.

• The "I don't want to look like a newbie" crew

We've all been there. You hop into a car, and your seatbelt feels like it's giving you a hug that's just a little too tight. It's uncomfortable, it's irritating, and let's face it, it doesn't look cool, especially when you're cruising past fancy shopping malls. For the "I'm too cool for seatbelts" crowd, the solution is simple: slip in a dummy seatbelt, and you're good to go. You look like a safe driver, but secretly, you're taking a gamble with your life.

• The "I'm not sure how it works, so I'll just fake it" theory

Ever borrowed someone's car and been too shy to admit you have no idea how to properly wear a seatbelt? Well, this is when the dummy seatbelt seems to comes in handy. Slip that fake buckle into place, and voila - problem solved. No one knows you don't understand how the buckle works. You're officially a "safe driver", right? Wrong. Using a dummy seatbelt might fool the system, but it's certainly not fooling you car insurance policy.

• The "I'm just too lazy to strap in" club

Sometimes, it's just laziness, The car is moving, the traffic is light, and in the heat of the moment, strapping yourself in feels like too much effort. So what do you do? You reach for the dummy seatbelt. "What's the worst that can happen?" they say. Well, if you're asking that question, the answer is: a lot. A dummy seatbelt can't protect you if the car suddenly slams to a halt. It's not a cushion; it's not a protector; it's just a plastic piece of deception.

The bottom line: Dummy seatbelts are a terrible idea

While we can all appreciate the occasional cheeky shortcut, when it comes to dummy seatbelts, there's no way around the truth: they don't save lives. They may seem like a clever fix but the only thing the'll fix is your comfort in the short term - and trust us, it's not worth the risk.

So, fellow Malaysians, the next time you think about using a dummy seatblet, ask yourself: "Is it really worth it?" If you're still not convinced, maybe this will change your mind: a dummy seatbelt may not hold you in place, but it sure make you hold your breath when you realise just how lucky you are to have escaped unscathed.

At the end of the day, let's buckle up for real, not just for show. Your life is worth more that the beep beep beep.

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• Unforeseen Perils and Why Many Malaysians Face Insurance Woes After Natural Disasters.
• Clearing the Window: Understanding JPJ Requirements for Tinted Glass in Malaysian Cars
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• Alamak, Hujan Lagi!