New road marking for laybys with no-stopping zones

Laybys within no-stopping zones are not for waiting and parking purposes, but only for loading/unloading or picking up/setting down of passengers, according to existing legislation.

As these laybys, especially those in business areas, have been becomingly abused by vehicles parking or waiting, the Transport Department will put on trial tomorrow (Friday) a new road marking at selected laybys on Hong Kong Island to warn motorists not to wait or park at laybys within no-stopping zones.

Speaking on this, a spokesman for the department said vehicles waiting outside to enter the laybys also caused serious congestion or obstruction to the through traffic.

"In view of the above, yellow hatched markings will be placed at some selected laybys in Central, Causeway Bay and North Point to warn motorists not to park or wait at those laybys," he said.

To ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise inconvenience to other road users, the spokesman appealed to all motorists to follow the rule.

The Police will take prosecution action without any warning against them under Section 7 (1) of the Fixed Penalty (Traffic Contraventions) Ordinance (Chapter 227) for parking other than in an authorised parking place.

"The trial will be reviewed in about six months' time," the spokesman said, adding that yellow hatched markings would be placed at other suitable laybys within similar traffic problem if the result of the trial was satisfactory.

Thursday, October 14, 1999