XN000022-1981-05-30 — Page 2

SATURDAY, MAY 30,

MAY 30, 1981

SEAT-BELTS

-

IS THERE REALLY A CHOICE?

*****

THE CHOICE BETWEEN WEARING OR NOT WEARING SEAT-BELTS IN A CAR HAS BEEN A PUBLIC ISSUE, ESPECIALLY AMONG DRIVERS, SINCE THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS GOVERNING SAFETY BELTS CAME INTO EFFECT

IN 1976.

THIS LAW STIPULATES THAT ALL PRIVATE CARS NEWLY REGISTERED AFTER JULY 31, 1976, MUST BE FITTED WITH SAFETY BELTS.

THERE ARE THREE CATEGORIES OF PRIVATE CAR EXEMPTED FROM INSTALLING SUCH BELTS, THESE ARE:

A) CARS WITH FIRST REGISTRATION DATED ON OR BEFORE

JULY 31, 1976,

B) CARS BEING USED UNDER TRADE LICENCES,

C) CARS FITTED WITH AN ALTERNATIVE PASSIVE RESTRAINT

SYSTEM DESIGNED TO PREVENT OR LESSEN INJURY, APPROVED

IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

ALTHOUGH IT IS COMPULSORY TO INSTALL SEAT-BELTS IN THE FRONT SEATS OF MOST PRIVATE CARS, WEARING THEM IS NOT MANDATORY UNDER PRESENT LEGISLATIONS IN HONG KONG.

AS A RESULT, ALTHOUGH MOST CARS ARE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS, MANY DRIVERS DO NOT BOTHER TO WEAR THEM. THEY USUALLY CONSIDER THEM A BURDEN, AND HAVE THE MISTAKEN IDEA THAT BY NOT WEARING A SEAT-BELT, THEY WILL BE FREE TO DODGE THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

A SPOKESMAN FROM THE TRAFFIC HEADQUARTERS, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, STRESSED THAT IT IS ADVISABLE FOR DRIVERS TO WEAR SEAT-BELTS BECAUSE THEY CONSTITUTE ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL SAFETY FACTORS TO DRIVERS AS WELL AS PASSENGERS IN A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT.

EXPERIENCE FROM THE PAST REVEALS THAT THE MOST FREQUENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN PRIVATE CARS OCCURRED WHEN, AS A RESULT OF RAPID DECELERATION AFTER A COLLISION, THEY WERE THROWN FORWARD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL, DASH-BOARD OR WINDSCREEN.

IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, A DRIVER USUALLY BREAKS MOST OF HIS RIBS OR SUFFERS SERIOUS HEAD AND FACIAL INJURIES. IF A DRIVER IS WEARING A SEAT-BELT, IT WILL USUALLY SAVE HIM FROM SUCH PAIN AND POSSIBLE DISFIGUREMENT AND, AT THE VERY LEAST, REDUCE INJURY TO A MINIMUM.

IN FACT, WHEN SEAT-BELTS ARE FITTED AND ADJUSTED CORRECTLY, THEY ARE VERY CONVENIENT TO USE, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO FASTEN OR RELEASE THE QUICK ACTION BUCKLE. USING A SEAT-BELT IS VERY EASY AND PROVIDES THE MOST PROTECTIVE FACTOR WITHIN AN AUTOMOBILE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/ACCORDING TO ............