Public light bus drivers called on to observe road safety

The traffic accident rate involving public light buses is of public concern and in a bid to drive home the road safety messages among the public light bus (PLB) drivers, in particular evening shift drivers, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, went to PLB stands to meet them and remind them to drive safely.

Mr Footman this evening (January 10) visited the PLB stands at Tung Choi Street and Fife Street, Mong Kok. He called on the drivers to drive safely and treasure their lives and the lives of their passengers as well as other road users. He also distributed a leaflet carrying important notes on safe driving.

"If Hong Kong is to have a safe road network, it is important that all motorists, including public light bus drivers, should have safety awareness," Mr Footman said.

Legislative Councillor, Ms Miriam Lau; Chairman of Quality Public Light Bus Services Steering Committee, Mr Yeung Ka-sing; Chairman of Yau Tsim Mong District Council, Mr Chan Man-yau; Member of Yau Tsim Mong District Council, Dr Law Wing-cheung; and Deputy District Commander (Mong Kok) of the Police, Mr Duncan S McCosh, accompanied Mr Footman on the visit.

From 1999 to 2003, the average number of traffic accidents involving public light buses was more than 1,000 cases a year. In the nine months from January to September, 2004, the number was about 800, injuring more than 1,300 people.

The law stipulates that any person who drives a vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding the speed limit which is in force on that road will commit an offence and is liable to a fine of $4,000 and shall be disqualified for driving for a period of not less than six months.

It also stipulates that a driver of a vehicle will commit an offence if he fails to comply with traffic signals on the road without any reasonable excuse. If it is the first conviction, the driver is liable to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for three months. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the driver is liable to a fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for six months. The offender will also have three points deducted for failing to comply with traffic signals.

To ensure the safety of road users, the Police and Transport Department have been working closely to combat drivers' speeding and failure to comply with traffic regulations.

Ends/Monday, January 10, 2005