TNAG-1732-FCO40-2445-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 114

5

Oral answers to questions

teamsint of Traffic accidents light goods vehicles

Question Not

Reply by the Hon. Michael Leung, Secretary for Transport, to a Question asked by Hon. Mrs. Rita Fan

1.

Question:

in Legislative Council on 1.6.88.

MRS. FAN asked:

In view of the increasing trend of traffic accidents involving light goods vehicles, some of which are very serious in nature, what measures will the Government take to tighten up licensing requirements in respect of such vehicles and will it consider amending the Road Traffic Ordinance to provide more severe legal penalties for reckless driving?

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT:

Sir,

Government is concerned about the increasing trend

of traffic accidents involving light goods vehicles. Measures

to tackle the problem have been drawn up. These were

discussed last month with the Transport Advisory Committee and

supported for early implementation.

First, drivers of light goods vehicle with less

than three years experience have been identified as the target

group. Traffic accident statistics show that their

involvement rate is three times higher than that of the more

experienced drivers. In view of this, it is intended to stop

giving new private car driving licence holders automatic

approval to drive a light goods vehicle. Instead, such

approval will not be given until the driver has obtained a

licence for three years.

lc.