53
Objects falling from vehicles
Following is a question by the Hon Choy Kan-pui and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
of the number of traffic accidents caused by objects falling from vehicles since 1992 and the number of casualties arising from such accidents, as well as the major types of the vehicles involved;
of the number of accidents caused by overloading vehicles or vehicles which do not conform to loading regulations, and the number of prosecutions instituted against such vehicles, during the same period; and
whether the Government has reviewed the existing legislation and penalties to see if they have any deterrent effect on such vehicles, and whether the Government has put in place other measures to prevent the occurrence of the kind of accidents mentioned in (a) above?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a) During the 4-year period between 1992 and November 1995, 32 traffic accidents were caused by objects that fell from vehicles. There were 43 injuries. The types of vehicles most frequently involved were light and medium goods vehicles.
(b)
During the same period, 145 accidents involved overloaded vehicles. 93 prosecutions were instituted.
107 accidents involved vehicles with insecure loads and 58 prosecutions were instituted.