Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Motorists are being urged to stop using seatbelt buckle inserts after a shocking incident highlighted the deadly consequences of bypassing basic safety measures. The alarming practice of inserting a fake buckle to disable the seatbelt warning system has been linked to many injuries and fatalities on Thai roads.

 

The warning gained attention after a social media post by Facebook user Pongprom Yamarat, who shared images of a serious crash involving a brand-new Honda CR-V. The driver suffered severe lower-body injuries, and blood from head injuries, was visible on the airbag. 

 

 

The post pointed out a disturbing detail, a seatbelt buckle insert had been used, meaning the driver was unrestrained at the time of impact.

 

Pongprom emphasised the dangers of this practice, stating:

 

• Many Thai drivers use these inserts to silence the seatbelt alarm, unknowingly putting their own lives at risk.

 

• More than 70% of road fatalities in occur in crashes, where the vehicle structure remains intact, meaning seatbelt use could have saved lives

.

• Airbags alone are not sufficient protection; they must work in conjunction with seatbelts to prevent fatal injuries.

 

• A previous incident saw a young woman die after her car hit a roadside barrier. Despite minor damage to the vehicle, the impact crushed her chest because she was not wearing a seatbelt.

The post has sparked renewed calls for authorities to ban the sale of seatbelt buckle inserts, which are widely available and online. While safety advocates have been urging action for years, the government has yet to implement stricter regulations.

 

As road fatalities continue to be a major concern in Thailand, experts stress that using a seatbelt is a simple yet life-saving measure. Motorists are reminded that deceiving a vehicle’s safety system might trick the car, but it cannot cheat death.

 

-- 2025-03-18

 

 

Didnt know these were a thing. Surely everyone must realize that all cars have seatbelts for a reason, right?

 

so instead of just using their seatbelt, thais would rather spend money on something just so that they dont have to use their seatbelt?

15 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Didnt know these were a thing. Surely everyone must realize that all cars have seatbelts for a reason, right?

 

 

 

Yeah they are a thing.

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

38 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah they are a thing.

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

 

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

So is being hit with the full force of an exploding airbag, which may or may not save your life.

So is swapping your car for a wheelchair.

 

Darwin in action. 

You can't fix stupid. 

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Seat belt chimes are annoying

 

They go off when you put your belt on. 

If they want to die, let them, it's that simple

Not wearing a seatbelt, driving at night with no lights, and not using indicators, are all fuel-efficient practices that also make your battery last longer. 

These are wonderful devices. I only use them around town. Never on the highway, which would be asking for trouble. 

24 minutes ago, JoePai said:

If they want to die, let them, it's that simple

agreed.

52 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

So is being hit with the full force of an exploding airbag, which may or may not save your life.

So is swapping your car for a wheelchair.

 

 

airbags go good, used to pull em from cars at the scrap yard and detonate them... jeez they can launch a metal bin high in the air.

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

 

I disabled mine in my Ford because it is annoying.

But I still use my seat belt when leaving our village and meeting Tarmac roads.

You are another, thinking accidents don't happen around towns?

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

These are wonderful devices. I only use them around town. Never on the highway, which would be asking for trouble. 

 

Of course you do. 

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah they are a thing.

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

I have to say this is one of the dumbest comments that I have ever read on AN...

1 minute ago, simon43 said:

I have to say this is one of the dumbest comments that I have ever read on AN...

cheers champ !

How did we survive pre seat belt buzzers, before car seats for kids? 

27 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

These are wonderful devices. I only use them around town. Never on the highway, which would be asking for trouble. 

Yes, accidents don't happen in towns or cities, really screwed in!

4 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

How did we survive pre seat belt buzzers, before car seats for kids? 

many didn't

 

These devices have their uses. We use them when we take our dogs to the vet, as we lay down the back rest of the rear seats to give enough room for the dogs. When the dogs stand/lay on the back rest, it puts enough pressure on the seat base to set off the seat belt alarm. We also use them when buying dog food, 80 kg of dry food on the back seat is more than enough to set off the alarm.

 

Obviously, we don't use them when people are actually sitting in the seats.

 

 

34 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I have to say this is one of the dumbest comments that I have ever read on AN...

Considering how many there have been over the years, it certainly rates towards the top of the list. 

When Buddha is there to protect.....

Met a Thai friend some weeks ago.

Was telling me that he had a bad accident, and strangely resulting in only minor injury.

 

Attributed to being protected by Buddha.

Beliefs, very dangerous as they are. Prevents one from realizing that if Buddha was there to protect, the accident would never have happened.

 

All these motorbike drivers, no helmets. Difficult to understand. But when 'beliefs' are factored in, then it starts to make sense.

All efforts by authorities to convince Thais to wear helmets, have failed..... Getting a bit better though. Perhaps those who do not give drinks and food to Buddha on the sides of the roads, are getting worried sometimes...

Or is it that these protections show no strength and masculinity, no virility.

But then women seem to wear helmets less often.

Oh yes, factor in that it is the women who give the food and drinks to Buddha on the side of the roads... They are already covered...

20 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

When Buddha is there to protect.....

Met a Thai friend some weeks ago.

Was telling me that he had a bad accident, and strangely resulting in only minor injury.

 

Attributed to being protected by Buddha.

 

 

Ive not had any accidents since I start running amulets on the dash.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Many Thai drivers use these inserts to silence the seatbelt alarm, unknowingly putting their own lives at risk.

 

How can they possibly not know that not wearing a seatbelt is more dangerous than wearing one???

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Many Thai drivers use these inserts to silence the seatbelt alarm

 

What can i say- Pure Idiots.

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah they are a thing.

Seat belt chimes are annoying.

For many, it is the comforting sound of Nanny chiming in.

stupid is as stupid does 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

These are wonderful devices. I only use them around town. Never on the highway, which would be asking for trouble. 

I generally agree with your intelligent posts, but alas, this is not one of them.... you don't use seat belts around town?

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks motor vehicle collision data in the U.S. Routinely, the NHTSA finds that more than half of serious motor vehicle accidents (such as those resulting in injury or death) occur within 25 miles of a victim's home."

Can't fix stupid.

Air Bags are lethal when deployed whilst not wearing a seatbelt.

2 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

But then women seem to wear helmets less often.

 

That is mainly because they don't want to mess up their hair.