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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (July 5) :
Question :
Regarding operational safety of non-franchised buses, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) there has been an upward trend in the numbers of traffic accidents involving non-franchised buses and the resultant casualties in the past three years;
(b) it has assessed if the current safety equipment for passengers in non-franchised buses is adequate; and
(c) the authorities will, by making reference to the existing regulations regarding safety equipment on public light buses, consider introducing legislation to require that all passenger seats installed on newly-registered non-franchised buses are high-back seats fitted with seat belts; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
The numbers of traffic accidents and casualties involving non-franchised buses in the past three years are as follows -
Year Number of Accidents Number of Casualties
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2003 378 779
2004 491 1,151
2005 436 997
The figures do not indicate an upward trend of such accidents and casualties. In 2003, because of the impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome on the activities of the general public, the number of traffic accidents in general and that of different vehicle types are both at a low level.
Non-franchised buses are subject to the passenger safety requirements stipulated in the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations, which include security of seats and tilting stability.
Accident statistics indicate that the accident rate of non-franchised buses is lower than those of other public transport modes. Also, there are no consistent practices regarding the protection installations for bus passengers in overseas countries. We will continue to keep in view the number of accidents as well as overseas standards and practices. We will also examine with vehicle manufacturers and the trade on the feasibility of extending the seat belt and high back seat requirements to non-franchised buses.
Ends/Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:55
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