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Police conducted a territory-wide operation to reinforce the wearing of seat belts on public light bus (PLB) yesterday (October 7) as part of ongoing efforts to encourage both drivers and passengers to protect themselves from injury.
The operation started in the early morning and ended at midnight yesterday and resulted in the issue of 52 verbal warnings and 178 summonses to PLB passengers, as well as 11 fixed penalty tickets to PLB drivers.
Between January and September this year, there were a total of 792 traffic accidents involving PLBs, resulting in 1,226 casualties. A decrease of 0.3 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively when compared with 794 traffic accidents and 1,296 casualties in the same period last year.
Police stressed that it is the passengers' personal responsibility to ensure that they are securely fastened to their seats by means of a seat belt where one is fitted. A passenger who is found not wearing a seat belt on a PLB is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment.
Any PLB driver who fails to wear a seat belt is also liable to a fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment.
"The Force is committed to take proactive action to reduce deaths and injuries arising from traffic accidents. Education, publicity and enforcement will continue to be used to enhance road safety," a Police spokesman said.
Police Report No. 3
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:57
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