Updated Road Users' Code offers comprehensive information
The Transport Department will publish a new edition of the Road Users' Code which offers road users comprehensive guidelines and information covering most road and traffic conditions.
Introducing the latest edition of the Road Users' Code today (June 23), the Chief Engineer/Road Safety and Standards of the department, Mr Cheng Hung-leung, said the Code, first published in June 1987, had been widely used by members of the public as a handy reference to traffic rules and advice.
The Code is also intended for use by road safety training officers, teachers and parents as a reference book for teaching young people.
He said: "The safe and efficient use of the road system depends on all road users, including drivers, cyclists, passengers and pedestrians, following the same rules of behaviour.
"It is important for road users to know the dangers of traffic and the difficulties others may have in using the road and take the necessary precautions.
"Road users also need to know the 'language of the road' - the different signals used by road users to communicate with each other and the meanings of traffic signs and road markings.
"The Road Users' Code contains a wide range of rules, advice and information for all types of road users covering most road and traffic conditions to enable the public to know better the road system," he added.
To tie in with changes in traffic rules and regulations, the new Code has incorporated additional or updated information in, inter alia, the following areas:
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Light Rail Transit System | |
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List of expressways and the driving rules | |
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A map showing all major roads | |
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Seat belt legislation and how to wear seat belts (including tips for pregnant women) and child restraints | |
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Use of airbags | |
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Drink driving legislation | |
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Taxi service areas including the new airport and include new signing for taxi stands | |
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Code of Practice for Loading of Vehicles | |
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Compulsory off-street training for learner motorcyclists prior to the issue of learner licence | |
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Regulations on the restriction of riding of multicycles to certain designated areas | |
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Information and precautions in breakdown or emergencies | |
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Traffic signs and road markings | |
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Traffic regulations and by-laws such as North-west Railway By-laws, Road Traffic (Parking on Private Roads) Regulations, Road Traffic (Expressway) Regulations, Eastern Harbour Crossing Ordinance, Tate's Cairn Tunnel Ordinance, Tsing Ma Control Area Ordinance, and so on. | |
The new Code, Mr Cheng believed, would give the public a more comprehensive and up-to-date picture on the present road system.
"We will update the Code on a regular basis," Mr Cheng said, adding that the current legislation would take precedence in case the Code could not be updated in time with changes in legislation.
The new Code, in separate Chinese and English versions, will be available for sale at $22 a copy from the middle of next week at the Government Publications Centre located at Lower Block, ground floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.
At the same time, it will be uploaded onto the department's homepage (http://www.info.gov.hk/td/).
For new applicants of learner driving licence, they will be given a copy of the new Code free of charge.
People who are scheduled to take the Part A/taxi written test on or after August 21 this year are reminded to make reference to the new Code.
End/Friday, June 23, 2000
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