You’ve probably noticed it a hundred times — that small, round plastic button halfway down your seatbelt strap. Ever wondered what it’s actually for?

Turns out, it’s not just random. That little button is called a “stop button” or “seatbelt stopper”, and it serves a very practical purpose: it keeps the metal buckle (tongue) from sliding all the way down to the floor when the belt retracts.

Without it, the buckle could slip down every time you unbuckle, forcing you to dig between the seats to find it — especially annoying in the dark or when you’re in a hurry.

So next time you buckle up, give a little nod to that tiny button — the unsung hero that makes your seatbelt just a bit easier to use every day.