A South African road safety expert has raised alarm over a controversial seatbelt accessory that could encourage risky driving by bypassing vehicles’ built-in safety alerts.
The product, known as the “Buckle Buddy”, mimics a seatbelt buckle and slots into a car’s seatbelt receiver. This effectively disables the warning tone that alerts drivers and passengers when a seatbelt is not fastened.
Intended for Farm Use
The accessory was originally designed with farmers in mind, who frequently drive short distances at low speeds on private dirt roads. Because they often need to stop and get out to open gates or check on livestock, repeatedly fastening and unfastening a seatbelt can be inconvenient.
Mike Scriven, founder of Buckle Buddy South Africa, defended the product in a recent interview on 702. He explained that he grew up on a farm in Limpopo and created the tool to solve a problem he experienced firsthand.
“The Buckle Buddy is meant only for private farm roads, not public roads,” Scriven said. “We clearly state this in our marketing and provide a disclaimer with every purchase. We do not condone misuse on public roads, where seatbelt use is compulsory.”
The accessory is also marketed as a way to prevent passenger-seat sensors from triggering the seatbelt alert when carrying heavy bags, pets, or other objects.
Expert Pushback
Despite these intentions, road safety groups warn that the Buckle Buddy poses serious risks.
Alida Venter, CEO of Drive More Safely, criticised the product during the same interview, calling it dangerous and potentially illegal.
“This is a deathtrap,” Venter said. “The company can’t control who buys it, and we know some motorists will use it on public roads to avoid wearing seatbelts.”
She warned that drivers caught using the device inappropriately could face not only legal consequences but also financial ones. “Insurance companies will not pay out claims if you’re in an accident while using this, and the Road Accident Fund won’t cover you either,” she explained.
Seatbelt Accessory Concerns
South Africa already faces a troubling rate of seatbelt non-compliance, with many motorists ignoring safety laws. Experts fear that accessories like the Buckle Buddy could worsen the problem by making it easier for drivers to silence their vehicle alerts without buckling up.
“Seatbelts are there to save lives,” Venter added. “Removing that safeguard, even at low speeds, creates unnecessary risk.”
While the Buckle Buddy may offer convenience in specific farming scenarios, safety advocates stress that its misuse on public roads could have deadly consequences.
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