TNAG-1726-FCO40-2439-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 206

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MR. MARTIN LEE : Sir, does the

Secretary of Transport

whether in relation to

agree that the best traffic cop is one who helps motorists

not to commit traffic offences,

traffic signs or otherwise, and not one who issues the

greatest number of tickets for traffic contraventions?

And if the answer is in the affirmative, does he intend to

give the requisite directive to the Traffic Branch of the

Royal Hong Kong Police Force accordingly?

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT : Sir, I think the police do have

discretion in prosecuting offenders in the case of traffic

signs not being followed. Normally for new traffic

arrangements it is standard practice

is standard practice for the police to

give seven days' grace period to offenders and they do not

normally prosecute them. Second, if in fact a sign is of

a poor standard or at â poor location, the driver can

explain to the police officer and he

and he has the discretion

not to prosecute the offender but instead give him

verbal caution. Over the past year, such cautions have

been given and in fact

fact police officers do try to help

drivers rather than to prosecute them all the time. This

is something which they always have in mind.

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a