Police operation against failure to wear seat belts on PLB

Police today (February 23) concluded a territory-wide operation against public light bus (PLB) seat belt offences.

As part of the ongoing efforts to encourage passengers to protect themselves from injury, Police commenced the operation yesterday (February 22) against PLB passengers for not wearing seat belts.

The operation started from 8 am yesterday and ended at 8 am today, resulted in the issue of 165 verbal warnings and 446 summonses to PLB passengers.

Legislation which states that PLBs registered on or after August 1, 2004 are required to be fitted with seat belts and PLB passengers must wear seat belts if they are installed on their seats came into effect on August 1, 2004.

Since August 2004 to the conclusion of this operation, Police have issued 1,862 verbal warnings to PLB passengers to remind them to fasten their seat belts and 1,332 summonses for failing to wear seat belts.

Police stress that it was 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 public light bus is subject to a maximum 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. 4

Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, February 23, 2006