SINGAPORE – Taxi driver Lee, 69, folds the top of his seat belt in half and keeps it in place with a binder clip.
He prefers that the belt is slack, saying he dislikes it when it is resting directly against his body when he is on the road for at least eight hours a day.
“Actually, I know this is not allowed, but the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the police only check to see if you’re wearing a seat belt, I’ve never seen them check for such clips,” he said, declining to give his full name.
“I don’t think it’s that dangerous. We didn’t even have seat belts (in some cars) when I first started driving in the 70s.”
The Straits Times learnt that some drivers, especially those who are in the ride-hailing business, are using binder clips, knots and even food clips to keep their seat belts loose.
Some are also using seat belt stoppers bought online, where sellers claim they are safe and suitable even for children.
During 20 rides between late April and early June, ST found seven taxi and private-hire drivers who had modified their seat belts in this fashion.
LTA said such devices and modifications are not approved for use here, and risk the safety of the driver and passengers in the event of an accident.
A spokeswoman for LTA told ST that seat belts should not be altered or modified in any way.
“Devices or modifications that may interfere with the proper operation of the seat belt, such as belt stoppers, should not be used as they could compromise the effectiveness of the seat belt in a collision,” she said.
“Seat belts must also be properly anchored to the designated seat belt anchorage points in the vehicle.”
Under the Road Traffic Act, individuals who use a vehicle with non-compliant seat belts can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.
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