TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 66

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 1 June 1988

MR. TAM (in Cantonese): Sir, some of these light goods vehicles have installed very powerful audio stereo systems and loud music is played while vehicles are on the move. Would that actually increase the probability of accidents, and does the Government intend to do anything about the situation?

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT (in Cantonese): Sir, we do not have sufficient evidence at the moment to show that music does interfere with driving. As a matter of fact, accidents involve a number of factors such as the mood of the driver, road conditions, and the condition of the car. So, it is not necessarily just the music that might cause accidents but, of course, we will definitely look into this and see whether music is really interfering with driving, and if so, we will consider possible restrictions.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Sir, apart from the relatively young age and inexperience of the light goods vehicles drivers, to what extent is the condition of the light goods vehicles concerned a contributing factor of accidents? And, arising out of the supplementaries, I would like the Secretary for Transport to give a more definite indication as to when light goods vehicles will be included in the private car inspection scheme for annual inspection. When will that commence?

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT: Sir, inspections of light goods vehicles under 1.9 tonnes will start as soon as we have amended the regulations governing the inspection of such vehicles. I take the point that we need to look at the vehicles' standards and their road worthiness in each case. At present, according to police records, the number of light goods vehicles inspected and found to be defective is about 2 000 vehicles per year over the last two years. This number is about 63 per cent of all vehicles inspected by the police and Transport Department on a spot-check basis. We do believe that because of these figures, it is important to require vehicles under 1.9 tonnes to be inspected annually as a start. And as I said earlier, this will be extended to all goods vehicles by 1991.

MR. POON CHI-FAI (in Cantonese): I fully agree with what the Secretary has said a moment ago that there are a number of factors leading to traffic accidents. But could the Administration inform this Council whether it has information to show the causes of the accidents involving light goods vehicles? In that way, we will be able to improve the situation because we have a clear idea of the causes.

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT (in Cantonese): We do not have a breakdown separating light goods vehicles from other vehicles. Usually, accidents are caused by speeding or carelessness of pedestrians. We can believe that these are the most common causes and perhaps we can focus our attention on these two aspects in our publicity and education programmes so that motorists will not speed, and at the same time pedestrians will be more careful.

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