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In response to recent newspaper reports on ˇ§Segwayˇ¨ (Segway, or known as Human Transporter, Segway smart car), the Transport Department (TD) today (November 12) made a solemn statement on the issue so that members of the public will not be subject to unnecessary liability without his/her knowledge:
Since ˇ§Segwayˇ¨ is a mechanically propelled vehicle designed and constructed for carriage of its driver and his/her personal effects, it is motor vehicle under Road Traffic Ordinance, and shall be classified as motor cycle under the same. Members of the public who use the vehicle on the road are therefore required to register the vehicle with TD and obtain a licence in advance. The driver shall also take out third party risks insurance, hold a valid motor cycle driving licence and wear a protective helmet made to the required specifications; otherwise, it will be an offence.
On the other hand, as the design and construction of the vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations, this TD cannot register or license the vehicle.
Hence, use of the vehicle on a road or private road in Hong Kong is prohibited. The term ˇ§roadˇ¨ has a board definition, which includes every highway, thoroughfare, street, lane, alley, court, square, car park, passage, path, way and place to which the public has access either continuously or intermittently, whether or not the same is the property of the Government. TD advised that members of the public should understand the relevant circumstances and permitted areas for using the vehicle before purchasing one, so as to avoid becoming subject to prosecution or legal liability.
Besides, when putting the vehicle for sale, the importer and retailer of the vehicle should clearly point out that the vehicle is not legally permitted for use on a road in Hong Kong. Under Section 53(3) of Road Traffic Ordinance, the importer and retailer are required to prove that he/she had reasonable cause to believe that the vehicle would not be used on a road in Hong Kong, and any person who contravenes such requirement is liable to a fine of $20,000.
Ends/Saturday, November 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:14
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