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Police conducted a territory-wide operation yesterday (July 8) to reinforce the wearing of seatbelts on public light bus (PLB) as part of ongoing efforts to encourage both drivers and passengers to protect themselves from injury.
The operation, which started in the early morning and ended at midnight, resulted in the issue of 14 verbal warnings and 215 summonses to PLB passengers and 12 fixed penalty tickets and one summons to PLB drivers for failing to wear seatbelts.
Between January and May this year, there were a total of 399 traffic accidents involving PLB, resulting in 623 casualties. There was a decrease of six per cent and seven per cent respectively when compared with 423 traffic accidents and 669 casualties in the same period of 2013.
It is the personal responsibility of both passengers and drivers to ensure that they are securely fastened to their seats by means of a seatbelt where one is fitted, a Police spokesman said. A passenger or a driver who is found not wearing a seatbelt on a PLB is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000 and three months¡¦ imprisonment.
¡§The Force is committed to taking proactive action to reduce deaths and injuries arising from traffic accidents. Education, publicity and enforcement will continue to be conducted to enhance road safety,¡¨ the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:35
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