Passengers and drivers doubt effectiveness and fairness of the new seatbelt rules

Passengers and drivers are concerned about the fairness and effectiveness of the seatbelt amendment that officially took effect on Jan. 25.

All passengers on public transport and drivers who fail to wear seatbelts without a reasonable excuse are now liable to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and up to 3 months’ imprisonment, according to the new amendment.

“I think there is enough publicity for this new rule. I’ve been seeing the government’s promotion on TV since December,” said Ng Siu-leung, 58, a passenger at Sha Tin bus terminus. 

Another passenger, Wong Tsui-yim, 90, said she was aware of the new rule after seeing the news on TV, and her elderly friends would remind one another of the new seatbelt rules via WhatsApp groups.

Despite the notice signs, Zhang Lan, a mainland Chinese tourist who had just arrived in Hong Kong for a vacation, said she had heard nothing about the amendment of the new rules.

“I don’t think they are talking about it enough,” said Noa Navet, 19, a French woman living in Hong Kong. 

Although the new seatbelt rule can better protect passenger safety, the government should promote the new rules for younger people and foreigners via social media, she added.

The new amendment also states that drivers will receive an HK$2,000 fine if they have more than two technology devices placed in front of them while driving.

Local resident Chan Chung-kei, 31, said it is unfair to have a higher penalty for passengers not wearing seatbelts compared to drivers who look at their digital devices while driving.  

“It is the driver's responsibility to ensure the passengers’ safety, but why should inattentive drivers be fined less than passengers without seatbelts?” she said.

Kong Pak-tung, 24, a Kowloon bus driver of route 289R, said he saw some passengers who didn’t wear seatbelts on the first day of rule enforcement.

He said it is not feasible for drivers to stop at every station for a seatbelt check. “These tasks will definitely increase our workload as drivers, making each drive more time-consuming and shortening our rest sessions,” he said.

Kong added that some passengers tend to stand rather than sit with fastened buckles, which is “the biggest problem with this legislation”. 

“I’m afraid that if passengers choose to stand just to avoid seatbelts, it will be more dangerous than sitting without seatbelts. That would be totally against the law’s intention,” he said.