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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport, Mr Paul Tang, in the Legislative Council today (June 26):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council whether it has considered following the Mainland's practice of erecting barriers or planting trees to divide two-way expressways to prevent the headlamps of vehicles from dazzling the drivers of vehicles moving in opposite directions, so as to reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents; if not, of the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

In line with the Transport Planning and Design Manual published by the Transport Department, all expressways in Hong Kong are provided with central dividers of about 800 mm high and 675 mm wide. Such installations help ensure that motorists will not be dazzled by headlamps of vehicles moving in opposite directions. The planting of trees in the central reserves requires much more space and site conditions normally preclude such provision in Hong Kong.

As a further safeguard, the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations specify that where a system of street light is in operation or in the face of approaching traffic, vehicle headlamps shall be dipped to an angle that is incapable of dazzling any other road users. Contravention of the provisions under the Regulations will be liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment.

End/Wednesday, June 26, 2002

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