TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
IN CONCLUSION, THE CHIEF JUSTICE EMPHASISED THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE JUDICIARY'S DRIVE FOR EFFICIENCY AND REFORM EFFORTS HINGED VERY MUCH ON A TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION THE JUDICIARY ITSELF, THE LEGAL PROFESSION LAWYERS BOTH IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICE - AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
"WITHIN THE JUDICIARY, THERE MUST BE
THE WILL AND DETERMINATION TO GO FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. THERE MUST ALSO BE THE RECOGNITION THAT FOR US TO STAND STILL IS TO STAGNATE. AMONGST THE PROFESSION, THERE MUST BE THE SENSITIVITY THAT COURT TIME IS PRECIOUS. FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, THERE MUST BE THE PREPAREDNESS TO GIVE US THE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES REQUIRED, HE ELABORATED.
H
HOWEVER, THE CHIEF JUSTICE POINTED OUT THAT JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY MUST NOT BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, THE FAIRNESS OF A TRIAL AND THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE.
"THIS IS VERY MUCH A FINE BALANCING ACT AND, IF I MAY SAY 90, A VERY DELICATE ONE, HE SAID.
"
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FRONT MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGERS TO BUCKLE UP TOO
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) RECOMMENDED THAT LEGISLATION BE AMENDED TO MAKE THE FITTING AND WEARING OF LAP BELTS COMPULSORY FOR FRONT MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGERS IN VEHICLES.
LAP BELTS ARE REQUIRED IN MANY COUNTRIES AND ARE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SIDE IMPACT. THEY ALSO PREVENT PASSENGERS FROM BEING THROWN OUT OF VEHICLES IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.
THE FITTING REQUIREMENT WILL APPLY ONLY TO NEW PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, GOODS VEHICLES AND LIGHT BUSES. THERE WILL BE A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD BEFORE THE NEW REQUIREMENT COMES INTO EFFECT.
ON THE ADVICE OF TAC, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF LAP BELTS то PASSENGERS ON EXISTING VEHICLES ALREADY FITTED WITH LAP BELTS.
THE AMENDED LEGISLATION IS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED LATER THIS YEAR TOGETHER WITH THE PROPOSED REAR SEAT BELT LEGISLATION WHICH WAS ENDORSED BY TAC LAST YEAR.
DURING
THE MEETING, MEMBERS, IN THE LIGHT OF PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, ALSO SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL TO AMEND LEGISLATION TO MAKE THE USE OF CHILD RESTRAINTS IN REAR SEATS, IF AVAILABLE, MANDATORY. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO USE CHILD RESTRAINTS.
AT TODAY'S MEETING, MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ON MATTERS OF INTEREST то MEMBERS INCLUDING ITS FARE POLICY.
THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF 1993 WAS ALSO TABLED.
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