XN000022-1976-07-16 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1976

COMPULSORY FITTING OF SEAT BELTS IN NEW PRIVATE CARS

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REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO MAKE THE FITTING OF SAFETY SEAT BELTS IN NEW PRIVATE CARS COMPULSORY.

UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1976 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, ALL PRIVATE CARS REGISTERED AFTER JULY 31, 1976, MUST BE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS.

THE REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO FORCE FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR. THIS WILL ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR MOTOR VEHICLE TRADERS TO IMPORT THE REQUIRED SEAT BELTS,

THE REGULATIONS DO NOT APPLY TO TAXIS, PUBLIC CARS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT ALTHOUGH THE FITTING OF SEAT BELTS WILL BE COMPULSORY, THE WEARING OF SUCH BELTS

IS NOT.

HOWEVER, HE ENCOURAGED MOTORISTS TO WEAR SAFETY SEAT BELTS BECAUSE EXPERIENCE IN SOME COUNTRIES SHOWED THAT THE WEARING OF SEAT BELTS HAD RESULTED IN A NOTABLE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES THROUGH ROAD ACCIDENTS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MOST FREQUENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN PRIVATE CARS OCCUR WHEN, AS A RESULT OF RAPID DECELERATION AFTER A COLLISION, THEY ARE THROWN FORWARD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL, DASH-BOARD OR WIND SCREEN,

+A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SUCH INJURIES WOULD BE AVOIDED OR RENDERED LESS SERIOUS IF DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WORE SEAT BELTS.+

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI

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WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON HENNESSY ROAD AND SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON FENWICK STREET WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT AT THE JUNCTION OF HENNESSY ROAD AND FENWICK STREET WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (JULY 20).

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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