XN000022-1996-07-10 — Page 79

57.

Rear seat passengers safety belt requirement exemption

Following is a question by the Hon Selina Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The Government has introduced legislation requiring passengers in rear seats of private cars to wear seat-belts. Exemption is only given to those who have been certified by competent persons and verified by the Transport Department (TD) as unfit for wearing seat belts. In connection with this, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

of the criteria adopted by the TD in verifying recommendations made by competent persons for certain individuals to be exempted from wearing seat belts;

how the TD will ensure that there is no disparity in treatment in exercising its discretionary powers;

whether the Government will consider relaxing the requirement for wearing rear seat belts, such as streamlining or even abolishing the procedure of granting exemption through the TD so that certification for exemption made by competent persons can be accepted instead; and

how the Government will educate the public, particularly parents and pregnant women, on the safety measures in wearing rear seat belts?

Reply:

Mr President,

Under Regulation 10 of the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations, any person may apply to the Commissioner for Transport for an exemption from wearing seat belts.

(a)

In dealing with such applications, the Transport Department would consider the reasons put forward by the applicant, including his/her physical condition and other relevant factors such as the advice of a registered medical practitioner. The written advice from a registered medical practitioner is not a mandatory requirement but it would help facilitate processing an application.