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Traffic accidents involving container vehicles
Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
With regard to the recent spate of traffic accidents involving the overturning of container vehicles which have resulted in injuries and deaths, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
of the number of such accidents, as well as the number of people who were injured or killed in these accidents, in the past three years; and
whether consideration will be given to introducing legislation requiring that the trailer of container vehicles be subject to inspection annually as in the case of the tractor of such vehicles, in order to ensure that the trailer's braking system is in good working order?
Reply:
Mr President,
Over the past 3 years there have been an average of 21 accidents per annum in which container vehicles overturned. Details are given in the annex to my reply.
To put this in perspective, it should be noted that there are over 13,300 licensed container trucks and 21,000 trailers. Nevertheless, we cannot afford to be complacent and the Hon Chan Wai Yip is quite right in raising the question of inspections and control.
Under section 78 of the Road Traffic Ordinance. the Commissioner for Transport has powers to require the examination of all classes of motor vehicles before they are licensed. All tractors are now subject to annual inspections. As for trailers, only those over 10 years old have to pass an examination before relicensing. This is not satisfactory and, to enhance roadworthiness of trailers, the Administration plans to introduce annual inspections as soon as the necessary facilities and staff can be provided. Such inspections will include a functional check of the braking system.
End