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LCQ17: Safety of public service vehicles
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     Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Hok-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (December 9):

Question:

     In respect of reducing casualties of passengers on public service vehicles ("PSVs") in traffic accidents, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a)  it will consider extending the current requirement for passengers of taxis and public light buses ("PLB") to wear seat belts to those of tourist coaches and public buses; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; what specific measures are in place to further step up public education to raise the awareness of PSV passengers in wearing seat belts; and

(b)  at present, it is stipulated that the vehicle bodies and seats of PSVs (including public buses, PLBs, taxis, tourist coaches, school buses and school private light buses) shall be able to withstand collision impact of certain tonnes; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will study formulating a set of guidelines on safety standards for reference by the transport trade in procuring vehicles, so as to enhance the safety of vehicle compartments and reduce casualties in traffic accidents?
 
Reply:

President,

     My reply to the two parts of the question is as follows:

(a)  We attach great importance to the safety of public service vehicles (PSVs) on the road. As seat belts offer a certain degree of protection to passengers, we have introduced in phases necessary requirements including the fitting and wearing of seat belts on appropriate vehicle types.

     As for buses, particularly double-decked buses, not all seats can be retrofitted with seat belts due to technical problems such as the structure of buses do not have sufficient anchorage points to withstand the pulling force of seat belts; rearward-facing seats, side-facing seats and spaces for standees can not be installed with effective seat belts etc. Therefore, at present, not all seats on buses can be retrofitted with seat belts. We will examine the need and feasibility of fitting seat belts on buses and making it mandatory for passengers to wear seat belts. Factors to be considered include safety performance, acceptability to passengers, practical enforcement issues, effects on bus operation, and overseas practices etc.

     We have strived to raise awareness of passengers of PSVs to wear seat belts through law enforcement, publicity and education.

     The Police regularly conduct territory-wide education activities and enforcement operations targeting passengers of public light buses (PLBs) on wearing seat belts. In addition, the Police also carry out regular enforcement actions on PSVs and goods vehicles, during which the Police will adopt an approach of "education and publicity followed by prosecution" in tackling seat belt offences, and remind motorists and passengers of their responsibility to buckle up.

     Publicity and education are important channels to raise awareness among passengers in wearing seat belts. The Road Safety Council and Transport Department (TD) remind the public of the importance of wearing seat belts and the relevant penalties for non-compliance through TV and radio Announcements in Public Interest (APIs). TD has also produced TV APIs to remind passengers to buckle up if their seats are installed with seat belts.

(b)  Regulation 5(1) of the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A) stipulates that every vehicle including all body work and fittings shall be soundly and properly constructed of suitable materials; in good and serviceable condition; and of such design and method of construction as to be capable of withstanding the loads and stresses likely to be encountered in operation. Currently, there are no international regulations or standards prescribing the collision impact to be withstood by the vehicle body of PSVs.

     At present, newly registered PLBs and student service vehicles are required to provide seats with proof that such seats comply with the ECE Regulation No. 80 of the Economic Commission for Europe specified in Schedule 15 to Cap. 374A. The ECE Regulation stipulates that the seat and its anchorage shall withstand about a half-tonne pushing force.  

     We will continue to keep in view the relevant international vehicle standards and review our legislation on PSVs to enhance road safety.

Ends/Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:01

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