Transport Secretary Mable Chan on Sunday (Feb. 15) said officials would study details of the mandatory seatbelt rule on buses, including its exemptions and penalties, before reintroducing it.
The government earlier repealed the legislation making buckling-up obligatory, with the authorities saying there were deficiencies in the clauses of the law.
Chan said the administration would draw up an improved proposal to consult the public on the matter after conducting a review of the legislation.
"We will particularly re-examine details of the rule's execution, such as on the enforcement, exemptions, and penalties, throughout our review. We hope to handle the issue with law, reason and compassion," she said.
With the official Lunar New Year holiday on the mainland starting on Sunday, the transport minister said close to 100 private cars from Guangdong were expected to enter Hong Kong's urban areas under the Southbound Travel Scheme on the first day of the nine-day period.
"Over the next few days, there will be nearly 500 [bookings] for vehicles coming to Hong Kong. Half of them will stay in the city for a day or two," Chan said, adding that the numbers overall fall within expectations.
Under the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, up to 100 private cars are allowed to enter the territory's urban areas daily for a stay of up to three days.
While the number of Guangdong motorists travelling to Hong Kong via the scheme has been promising on weekends and on long holidays, Chan said there is still a certain amount of slots available on weekdays.
The minister said authorities would step up promotion of the scheme on the mainland so that the existing slots are better utilised, before they seek to expand the scheme and increase the number of vehicles allowed into urban areas.
(Source: RTHK)
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