Hong Kong is introducing new traffic safety regulations, effective January 25, requiring all passengers in public transport and commercial vehicles to wear seat belts. Passengers on buses must wear seat belts if the seats are equipped with them; failure to do so will be illegal, with a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$5,000 and up to three months in prison.
Chief Executive John Lee addressed reporters today (Jan. 27) before a council meeting, stating that wearing seat belts on public transport has been implemented in various countries and regions for many years, including the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, the UK, and other European countries, with some areas enforcing this for over 10 or 20 years for the safety of passengers' lives. He cited research indicating that in head-on collisions, wearing seat belts can reduce the rate of serious injuries by 70% and the rate of fatalities by 40%. This is because seat belt-wearing passengers are less likely to be ejected from the vehicle, and the likelihood of secondary collisions within the cabin is also reduced.
Lee mentioned that the proposal for mandatory seat belt use in Hong Kong stemmed from the serious traffic accident on Tai Po Road in 2018, which resulted in 19 deaths and 66 injuries. This was a key recommendation from the independent commission and experts who reviewed the incident, aimed at preventing similar tragedies with significant casualties. He described this as a safety measure put forth "after research discussions and through painful lessons" to protect passengers. He acknowledged that the new measure would require behavioral changes from the public, particularly initial adjustments that might be inconvenient, but emphasized that this small change could reduce serious injury rates by 70% and fatality rates by 40%, ultimately safeguarding passenger lives.
Lee stressed that during the implementation of the new regulations, the initial focus would be on public education, persuasion, and habit formation. He has instructed the Transport and Logistics Bureau to clearly communicate requirements to public transport operators regarding the proper cleaning, performance, and installation of seat belts. The bureau will continue to promote and educate the public about the law's intent to ensure personal safety during traffic accidents and hopes to clarify that the law also allows for reasonable justifications not to incur legal responsibility in emergencies. He stated that different cases would be handled with a combination of law, reason, and compassion.
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