LCQ16: Prevention of traffic accidents on expressways
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Question:
There are views that expressways such as Tuen Mun Road, Tolo Highway and San Tin Highway are traffic black spots in Hong Kong, on which light goods vehicles use the right most lane from time to time, affecting traffic flow capacity and obstructing the view of drivers of following vehicles, thereby posing traffic safety hazards. In view of this, the Government may review the arrangements for the right to use the right most lane of an expressway, with a view to reducing traffic accidents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the numbers of traffic accidents involving various types of vehicles on expressways and the related casualties in each of the past five years;
(2) as there are views that quite a number of traffic accidents are caused by overtaking, of the respective numbers of prosecutions instituted by the Police in each of the past five years against vehicles for prolonged occupation of the right most lane on an expressway, as well as for illegal use of such traffic lane;
(3) as the existing legislation provides that medium goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and buses are prohibited from using the right most lane of an expressway where the carriageway has three or more traffic lanes available unless they are heading for a right side exit, but such restriction does not apply to light goods vehicles, of the means by which the Government distinguishes the classes of vehicles on traffic lanes in the course of enforcement, for example, only by visual observation or by using other auxiliary methods; and
(4) to avoid traffic accidents on expressways caused by goods vehicles obstructing the view of drivers of following vehicles, whether the Government has plans to further prohibit goods vehicles from using the right most lane of expressways, for example, whether it will consider restricting goods vehicles exceeding a certain height from using such lane; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Road Traffic (Expressway) Regulations (Cap. 374Q) currently govern the use of the right most lane and overtaking on expressways. The general principle is that drivers must keep to the left most lane on an expressway. If a driver needs to overtake a vehicle ahead of him, he must use the lane to the right and return to the left lane as soon as possible. In addition, large vehicles, including medium and heavy goods vehicles and buses, are prohibited from using the right most lane on an expressway with three or more lanes, unless the right most lane joins a diverging lane. After consulting the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Transport Department (TD), my response to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Yuet-ming concerning traffic accidents on expressways and the right most lane arrangements is as follows:
(1) The number of vehicles involved in traffic accident on expressways and the associated casualties by class of vehicles from 2020 to 2024 are at Annex. Overall speaking, the figures for 2020 to 2022 were relatively low, which may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in traffic accidents in 2023 and 2024 was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of minor accidents.
(2) The number of prosecutions relating to the prolonged occupation and unlawful use of the right most lane of expressway from 2020 to 2024 is set out below. The rise in the number of prosecutions for 2022 to 2024 was primarily attributable to the launch of the online traffic offence reporting platform Project PROVE in 2022, which resulted in a higher volume of reports received by the HKPF.
| Contravention | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Driving on a left-driving expressway without confining the motor vehicle to the left most lane of the carriageway of the expressway (prolonged occupation of the right most lane) | 1 363 | 1 534 | 1 616 | 1 536 | 1 927 |
| Failing to comply with restriction on using the right most lane of the carriageway of a left-driving expressway (unlawful use of the right most lane) (see Note) | 3 894 | 3 870 | 4 466 | 4 791 | 5 786 |
The HKPF will continue to monitor traffic accident trends and review the effectiveness of enforcement actions which will be suitably adjusted to enhance road safety. At the same time, the HKPF will continue to encourage members of the public to report traffic-related contraventions through various available platforms.
(3) Currently, the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A) stipulate the maximum overall dimensions for various categories of goods vehicles. During traffic enforcement on expressways, police officers would identify the category of goods vehicles based on its dimensions and characteristics such as vehicle model, number of axles, and rear markings. Prior to prosecution, officers would also verify the vehicle class by examining the vehicle licence or registration records to ensure accuracy.
(4) As mentioned in the preamble above, legislation currently restricts large vehicles (i.e. vehicles with an overall height exceeding 3.5 metres, including medium and heavy goods vehicles and buses) from using the right most lane of expressways. When considering restrictions on specific types of vehicles using particular expressway lanes, the Government would strike a balance between ensuring efficient use of expressways, maintaining smooth traffic flow, and safeguarding traffic safety. The Government will take into account the above factors to determine whether more stringent restrictions should be imposed on vehicles exceeding a certain height from using the right most lane of expressways.
The TD's Road Users' Code also reminds drivers to look well ahead while driving, allowing for a wider field of vision to ensure safe lane changes and more time to react. Drivers should also maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead to ensure they can stop safely if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows down or stops, providing ample time to respond to emergencies or incidents. In addition, the TD has been collaborating with the Road Safety Council and the HKPF to conduct a range of publicity and educational activities to promote safety to all road users, including light goods vehicle drivers. Activities include publishing and distributing Road Safety Bulletins, displaying safety messages on variable message signs, and disseminating information through social media platforms, so that road users are well-informed of key safety points, which include driving rules on expressways and trunk roads (including keeping to the left lane, medium and heavy goods vehicles not using the right most lane on roads with three or more lanes).
Ends/Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:25
Issued at HKT 11:25
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