A new road traffic safety regulation in Hong Kong comes into effect today (Jan. 25). All passengers on public transport and commercial vehicle seats are now required to wear seatbelts, with penalties for owners, drivers, or passengers who violate the law reaching up to HKD 5,000 and possible imprisonment for three months. A news inquiry conducted yesterday (Jan. 24) revealed that many visitors to Hong Kong are unaware of the new regulation and are concerned about inadvertently breaking the law and its impact on their travel experience, prompting calls for the government to enhance awareness. Representatives from the tourism industry assert that while the regulation emphasizes safety, they will continue to provide good service to tourists.
Tourists concerned about insufficient promotion leading to unintended violations
In Tsim Sha Tsui, the weekend crowds of tourists create a lively atmosphere. However, are they aware of the latest traffic safety regulations, a hot topic of discussion throughout the city? Ms. Ma and Ms. Yu, who have come from Sichuan to follow a music star, just arrived in Hong Kong and expressed that they had no knowledge of the new rules, having not seen any related signage along the way. Upon learning about the fines and penalties, they were surprised, stating that simply forgetting to fasten a seatbelt shouldn’t warrant such severe punishment; they suggested that fines ranging from HKD 500 to 1,000 would be more acceptable.
Of course, they expressed support and understanding for the intent behind the new regulation, which is to further ensure passenger safety. However, they pointed out that if tourists are fined for not understanding the new rules, it could significantly impact their travel experience.
Mr. Chan, who works in Dongguan and is visiting Hong Kong for a short trip, also reported being unaware of the new regulations and not having seen any related travel tips or reminders. He expressed that the fines seemed excessive compared to the RMB 200 penalty for drivers and front-seat passengers in Dongguan who do not wear seatbelts. Chan also raised concerns about standing passengers on buses; stating that if passenger safety is paramount, standing should be prohibited before enforcing mandatory seatbelt use.
Furthermore, Mr. Chan emphasized that Hong Kong is a tourist city with visitors arriving every day from around the world. As a tourist, he hopes for clear warnings in public transport venues and onboard, so tourists can easily understand the regulations and avoid unintentional violations. He also suggested starting with verbal warnings and gradually increasing penalties.
Perry Yiu: New regulations prioritize safety: Law enforcement should balance legal principles and tourist service
Will the new regulations impact Hong Kong's tourism industry, and how can a balance be struck? Legislative Council member Perry Yiu emphasized that the primary intent of the new regulation is to protect passenger safety; regardless, Hong Kong will prioritize the safety of both residents and tourists. However, he noted that when tour guides need to assist tourists with unexpected situations or passengers unbuckle in preparation to disembark, there would be "reasonable considerations" and that law enforcement would seek to balance legal principles with compassion, focusing on education and reminders.
Yiu mentioned that he has met with the police and the Transport Department to communicate the industry's concerns, recommending that long-term, tour buses and nanny vans be permitted to add rear-facing seats to accommodate the new regulations while facilitating their work. He hopes the government will provide financial support for vehicle modifications to ensure worker safety.
Regarding tourists' lack of knowledge about the new regulations, Yiu believes the government should begin public awareness campaigns soon, utilizing entry points, transportation, online platforms, and multilingual reminders to prevent tourists from unintentionally violating the laws. He draws parallels to the increased promotion needed for new smoking regulations.
Yiu believes that the new regulations will help establish Hong Kong as a safe travel destination and encourages the tourism industry, the Hong Kong Tour Guides Union, and the Tourism Regulatory Authority to enhance training for practitioners to raise safety awareness. He reiterates the need to ensure safety while maintaining service quality.
Timothy Chui: New regulations enhance travel safety: Trust the industry to implement effectively
The Executive Director of the Travel Promotion Association, Timothy Chui, expressed support for the mandatory seatbelt requirement for passengers in tourist buses. He cited cases where tour leaders in Shanghai died in accidents for not wearing seatbelts and instances where students in Shatin were not injured in accidents because they were all wearing seatbelts, emphasizing the critical importance of wearing seatbelts for passenger safety. He noted that tourist buses typically have more space, making seatbelt use not burdensome.
As for whether the new regulations will affect the travel experience, Chui is more confident, believing that there is no cause for concern since the government's initial approach will focus on education rather than punishment. Additionally, the industry will use onboard announcements and promotional stickers to remind passengers and emphasizes trust in the industry's management capability, believing the new regulations will further enhance the safety level of tourism in Hong Kong and visitor confidence.
The Transport Department stated that currently over 60% of franchised buses in Hong Kong are equipped with seatbelts. If a seat does not have a seatbelt installed, passengers may still take their seats without facing legal penalties. Moreover, operators like KMB will strengthen reminders for passengers about the seatbelt mandate through announcements, displays at stations, and interior screens.
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