Agreed it is an annoying 'feature' as you say, I too always wear my belt on public roads, on some sites I have to drive around you are not allowed to wear seatbelts, as it may restrict your ability to get out in a hurry, so the noise is really irritating, I have taken to doing the belt up and sitting on top of it, which is less comfortable, but also less irritating too. so if anyone knows how to disable it, it would be good to know!