XN000022-1978-06-23 — Page 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1978

3

ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL

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AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY TO ENABLE THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL TO ARBITRATE IN ANY DISPUTE OVER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT'S REFUSAL TO REGISTER OR LICENSE A MOTOR VEHICLE, OR HIS DECISION TO REVOKE THE LICENCE.

THE AMENDING LEGISLATION, KNOWN AS THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1978, 15 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.-

AT PRESENT ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO REFUSE TO REGISTER OR LICENSE, OR TO REVOKE, THE LICENCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE MAY DO SO BY PETITIONING THE GOVERNOR.

UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, IF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT REFUSES TO REGISTER OR LICENSE A VEHICLE, THE AGGRIEVED PERSON MAY WITHIN 21 DAYS OF BEING NOTIFIED OF THE DECISION BY THE COMMISSIONER, APPLY IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR A REVIEW OF HIS DECISION BY A TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL.

ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE BILL, IF PASSED, IS THE MANDATORY EXAMINATION OF ALL REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES PRIOR TO LICENSING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO CHARGE A FEE FOR THESE EXAMINATIONS IN ORDER TO COVER THEIR COST.

THE FOLLOWING CHARGES ARE PROPOSED:

* FOR A MOTOR CYCLE OR SCOOTER WITH OR WITHOUT A SIDE

CAR

$25-

* OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING TWO TONS IN WEIGHT

UNLADEN, AND TRAILERS OF ALL TYPES AND SIZES EXCEPT TRAILERS TOWED BY PRIVATE CARS WHICH ARE EXEMPTED - $60.-

* OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEEDING TWO TONS IN WEIGHT UNLADEN

$110.

AT PRESENT ONLY PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES ARE EXAMINED ANNUALLY. WHEN THE KOWLOON BAY MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IS COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR ALL GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE INSPECTED ANNUALLY.

TWO OTHER EXAMINATION CENTRES ARE PLANNED FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND TSUEN WAN AND WHEN THESE ARE COMPLETED THE INSPECTION PROGRAMME WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE, INITIALLY, OLDER PRIVATE CARS.

THE BILL ALSO