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A government spokesman said today (Wednesday) that existing regulations required the compulsory fitting and wearing of seat belts for drivers and front seat passengers of private cars, taxis, light buses and goods vehicles.
"Since June 1 this year the requirement has been extended to the middle front seats of such vehicles as well as all rear seats of private cars," he said.
"From a road safety view point, it is necessary to protect our bus drivers, and hence the public, by imposing similar compulsory requirements."
He said bus companies were given one year to order new buses with approved seat belts.
"For buses registered before the amendment Regulation comes into operation, bus owners will be given a five-year grace period to retro-fit seat belts," he said.
"Exemptions from the Commissioner for Transport may be given to those models of buses which have technical problems in fitting seat belts," he added.
End
Applications for BN(O) passports and CIs by post
The Government today (Wednesday) announced that from Friday (June 14), children under 11 years of age, the aged, the blind and the infirm who are eligible for British National (Overseas) passports or Certificates of Identity (CI) may apply by post along with their applications for permanent identity cards without having to attend in person.
A government spokesman explained that at present, an applicant who was aged, blind or infirm, and who satisfied a registration officer that compliance with the Registration of Persons Ordinance and regulations would injure his health or the health of others, and children under 11 were exempted from the requirement to register or apply for a Hong Kong identity card.
"But if these people are eligible for and wish to apply for a BN(O) passport or a CI, they will have to first apply for a permanent identity card," he said.