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Following is a question by the Hon Priscilla Leung Mei-fun and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 13):
Question:
I have recently received complaints from members of the public that the numerous types and colours of traffic signs in Hong Kong cause confusion to motorists and as a result, accidents are prone to occur. Moreover, it has been reported that quite a number of property management companies of private housing estates or large shopping malls in districts have recently put up directional signs of all types on government-owned traffic sign posts outside their properties, showing motorists the direction to drive towards the properties concerned. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it will consider studying ways to simplify the shapes and colours of traffic signs for the convenience of motorists; and
(b) it has looked into the situation of property management companies putting up directional signs that they designed on traffic sign posts outside their properties, and whether such acts are illegal; if they are, whether the authorities have instituted prosecutions against them, and whether at present there are government departments responsible for inspecting and removing directional signs on roads which have been erected without approval?
Reply:
President,
Traffic signs primarily serve to provide road users with advance information about road conditions ahead or give them orders, warnings and guidance. At present, there are three major types of traffic signs.
The first type is circular traffic signs, which give notice of requirements, prohibitions or restrictions. A sign with red border prohibits an action (an example is the "Goods Vehicles Prohibited" sign (please refer to the appendix)). A sign with blue background means that an action must be taken (an example is the "Turn Left Ahead" sign (please refer to the appendix)).
The second type is triangular traffic signs, which give warnings to motorists about matters they must heed (an example is the "Roundabout Ahead" sign (please refer to the appendix)).
The third type is rectangular traffic signs, which mainly give information, such as directions to certain routes, or places / facilities frequented by visitors (an example is the directional sign to Tuen Mun (please refer to the appendix)). Signs indicating route directions at a junction usually have one end pointed. If such signs are displayed on expressways, they will have a green background. If they are displayed on main roads, they will have a blue background. Temporary traffic signs usually have a yellow background.
My replies to the two parts of the question are as follows:
(a) All traffic signs installed on roads must comply with the standards and guidelines on, inter alia, size and content (including text and symbols), set out in the Transport Design and Planning Manual (the Manual) published by the Transport Department (TD). The design and standards of Hong Kong's existing traffic signs are comparable to those adopted overseas. While TD does not have any plans to revise the design at the present stage, it will review the Manual regularly to ensure that the standards specified therein can meet the needs of the community and the latest international standards.
To familiarise road users with the traffic signs in Hong Kong, TD has devised and uploaded onto its website the Road Users' Code so that the general public may understand the different messages conveyed by various traffic signs.
(b) Private bodies, including property management companies, must comply with the relevant standards set out in the Manual and seek prior approval from TD if they plan to erect or place traffic signs on a street. In considering such applications, TD will take into account the relevant justifications and actual needs, and consult the parties concerned. Section 51 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) provides that any person who places any traffic sign without permission commits an offence, and is liable to a fine of $1,000 and to imprisonment for 3 months. Depending on circumstances, prosecution will be instituted against unauthorised placement of traffic signs.
TD and Highways Department will follow up on cases of unauthorised on-street traffic signs identified during routine inspections and arrange for their removal.
Ends/Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:09
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