Police operation against failure to wear seat belts on PLB

Police today (March 29) concluded a territory-wide operation against public light bus (PLB) seat belt offences.

As part of the ongoing efforts to encourage drivers and passengers to protect themselves from injury, Police commenced the operation yesterday (March 28) against failing to wear seat belts whilst on board a PLB.

The operation, which started from 8 am yesterday and ended at 8 am today, resulted in the issue of 58 verbal warnings and 280 summonses to PLB passengers. As for PLB drivers, Police issued one verbal warning and seven fixed penalty tickets in the operation.

In the first two months of this year, Police provisional figures indicate that there were a total of 150 traffic accidents involving PLB, resulting in 219 casualties. These compare with 167 traffic accidents and 221 casualties in the same period of last year.

Police stress that it is the passengers' personal responsibility to ensure that they are securely fastened to their seats by means of a seat belt. A passenger who is found not wearing a seat belt when it is available on a PLB is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment.

Any PLB driver who fails to wear a seat belt is also liable to a fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment.

"The Force has all along been according a high priority to the reduction of deaths and injuries arising from traffic accidents and will continue to pro-actively adopt a three-pronged approach of education, publicity and enforcement to tackle the problem with a view to enhancing road safety for all road users in Hong Kong," a Police spokesman said.


Police Report No. 6

Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, March 29, 2007