XN000022-1992-12-24 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1992

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ONE-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS AND TWO-WAY PERMIT VISITORS WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL. FOR THE LATTER, IT WAS DOUBLE THE NORMAL DAILY AVERAGE.

THUS, THE DELEGATION WAS HELD UP FOR ABOUT FIVE TO SIX HOURS.

"THE PARTY ARRIVED AT LO WU ABOUT 11.30 AM AND CLEARANCE WAS COMPLETED AROUND 5.30 PM.

"WE ENTIRELY AGREE THAT THE SIX HOURS TAKEN IS FAR TOO LONG AND WE APOLOGISE TO THE PERSONS CONCERNED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WOULD NOT MAKE THINGS DIFFICULT FOR ANY PERSON,

"EVERYONE MUST BE TREATED COURTEOUSLY AND EQUALLY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAID-DOWN PROCEDURES.

H THE INCIDENT IS AN ISOLATED ONE AND IT WAS AN UNFORTUNATE COMBINATION OF HEAVY WORKLOAD AND A CONFUSION IN PROCESSING, HE SAID.

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EFFORTS TO PREVENT OVERLOADING GOODS VEHICLES

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INCREASE THE FIXED PENALTY FOR OVERLOADING GOODS VEHICLES FROM $450 TO $1,000 AND TO MAKE THE DISPLAY OF IDENTITY PLATES BY TAXI DRIVERS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT.

IN ORDER ΤΟ DEAL. MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEM OF OVERLOADING GOODS VEHICLES, OWNERS OF GOODS VEHICLES WILL ALSO BE MADE LIABLE FOR OVERLOADING THEIR VEHICLES UNLESS THEY CAN PROVE THEY EXERCISED DUE DILIGENCE AND REASONABLE SUPERVISION.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) DESPITE ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE POLICE, OVERLOADING OF GOODS REMAINED WIDESPREAD.

HAVE

VIGOROUS VEHICLES

INCREASED

HE NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF OVERLOADING OFFENCES SUBSTANTIALLY FROM 1,820 A MONTH IN 1989 TO 2,770 A MONTH IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.

"SOME DRIVERS CLAIM THAT THEY ARE FORCED OR PERSUADED BY THE OWNERS OR OPERATORS OF GOODS VEHICLES TO OVERLOAD THE VEHICLES.

"THEY ARE, HOWEVER, UNWILLING TO TESTIFY MALPRACTICES FOR FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOB OR BUSINESS.

AGA INST

SUCH

HR SAID OVERLOADING POSED A ROAD SAFETY HAZARD OVERLOADED VEHICLES REQUIRED A FAR LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE.

BECAUSE

IT ALSO CAUSES SEVERE DAMAGE TO ROAD SURFACES WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIFE SPAN OF ROADS.

/THE LIABILITY