THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
13
PRIVATE ROAD LEGISLATION TAKES EFFECT ON SATURDAY
NEW LEGISLATION ON PRIVATE ROADS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY (JULY 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS, DRIVERS AND OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, GAZETTED IN APRIL, HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND TO PRIVATE ROADS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY ON THESE ROADS AND TO EMPOWER THE OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS TO MANAGE THE PARKING OF VEHICLES MORE EFFECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS THAT UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, MOTOR VEHICLES WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED, LICENSED AND INSURED AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS EVEN WHEN BEING USED EXCLUSIVELY ON PRIVATE ROADS,
HE ADDED THAT THE VEHICLES WOULD ALSO HAVE TO COMPLY WITHI LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.
"A THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION THIS SATURDAY IS PROVIDED FOR VEHICLES OWNERS TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND ISSUE OF PERMITS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
I
ΤΟ
THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO AUTHORISES PRIVATE ROAD OWNERS ERECT OR PUT IN PLACE CERTAIN TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS AND TO CONTROL PARKING ON PRIVATE ROADS.
THE
OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS ARE FURTHER EMPOWERED BY LEGISLATION TO DESIGNATE "NO-PARKING" AREAS, DETAIN OR IMPOUND UNLAWFULLY PARKED CARS AND CHARGE FEES FOR
SUCH DETENTION AND IMMOBILISATION.
THE FEE FOR IMPOUNDING VEHICLES IS $140. FOR REMOVING VEHICLES $200, AND THE DAILY FEE FOR STORING AN IMPOUNDED VEHICLE IS $50.
UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, A PERSON WHO DRIVES A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PRIVATE ROAD MUST COMPLY WITH THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS AND IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION FOR ANY TRAFFIC OFFENCE.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW LAW, THE VICTIMS ASSISTANT FUND SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS ON PRIVATE ROADS.
SOME AREAS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW LAW WILL NOT APPLY TO THE RESTRICTED ROAD IN THE AIRPORT, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGULATED
BY THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (TRAFFIC)
REGULATIONS.
IN AREAS MAINLY OR WHOLLY USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES. AN ELEMENT OF NON-COMPLIANCE WILL BE ALLOWED. HOWEVER, OFFENCES SUCH AS RECKLESS DRIVING AND CARELESS DRIVING WILL STILL RENDER A DRIVER LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
/IT CERTAIN