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In response to press enquiries concerning the speed limits issue, a spokesman of the Transport Department made the following statement today (September 17):
¡§There are reports recently using a gazette notice (including 55 road sections with a maximum speed limit of 70 km/h) published in 1984 (25 years ago) claiming that the speed limit signs of some roads in Hong Kong, including Pok Fu Lam Road and Ting Kok Road differ from the one published in the Gazette notice. The reports are not true. The speed limit signs of the relevant roads were consistent with the one as published in the latest edition of the notice in the Gazette.
As far as Pok Fu Lam Road, the current speed limit for both the downhill and uphill carriageways is 50 km/h. These were published in Gazette notices in 2002 and 2009 respectively and are indicated by traffic signs on site. Regarding Ting Kok Road, the current speed limits are 50 km/h and 70km/h over different sections of the road in accordance with Gazette notices published in 1985, 2001 and 2007. They are also indicated by traffic signs on site.
Under the section 40 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), the maximum speed limits for motorists to drive on any road should be 50 km/h. The Commissioner for Transport is empowered to vary speed limits by way of notice in the Gazette. The maximum speed limits would be 50km/h if there are no speed limit signs on the roads. Where the speed limit is not 50 km/h after the amendments, the Commissioner for Transport is obliged to display traffic signs on roads showing the speed limits in force as a means to remind the motorists of the maximum speed limits there.
The change of road signs and the amendments of speed limits were conducted at the same time. When the Commissioner for Transport decides to change the speed limit of a road (or a section of it), the Transport Department will request the Highways Department to erect the speed limit signs for the new speed limits, which will be covered up. The Transport Department will decide on an effective date of imposing the new speed limit, arrange issue of the Gazette notice, and inform Police. The Transport Department will arrange with Highways Department to uncover the speed limit signs on the same date that the new speed limit shall come into effect as stated in the Gazette notice.
Members of the public can read about the Gazette notices of the amended road speed limits via the electronic Gazette on the Government Logistics Department homepage. They are also advised to pay attention to the road signs.
As there are no ambiguities concerning the speed limits on any road, the Police will carry out prosecution actions according to the speed limit signs at scene.
The Transport Department appealed to motorists to observe speed limit signs and drive carefully."
Ends/Thursday, September 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:08
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