Penalties for failure to comply with traffic signals to increase in New Year

     Points incurred by drivers who fail to comply with traffic signals will increase from three to five and the fixed-penalty fine will be raised from $450 to $600 with effect from Sunday (January 1).

     A Government spokesman said that disobeying traffic signals was a serious offence and it endangered not only the drivers and passengers of the vehicles in question but also other road users, especially pedestrians who followed the lights when crossing the road.  

     Over 100 drivers disobeying traffic signals are caught daily. On average, there is at least one accident each day due to drivers disobeying traffic signals and two people either die or are injured in these accidents. In response to the public demand for introducing additional measures to combat the inappropriate driving behaviour, the Legislative Council has passed a resolution to increase the penalties for drivers disobeying traffic signals.

     A publicity campaign on the new legislation has already been launched to remind motorists to observe traffic lights.

Ends/Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:00