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Police conducted a territory-wide operation to reinforce the wearing of seat belts on public light bus (PLB) yesterday (March 31) 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 34 verbal warnings and 189 summonses to PLB passengers, as well as three verbal warnings and six fixed penalty tickets to PLB drivers.
In the first two months of this year, there were a total of 168 traffic accidents involving PLBs, resulting in 242 casualties. A decrease of five per cent and 12 per cent respectively when compared with 176 traffic accidents and 276 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 or a driver who is found not wearing a seat belt on a PLB is subject to a maximum 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. 5
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Thursday, April 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 23:40
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