ENG-2001 — Page 305

TRANSPORT

telecommunication technologies to enhance the safety, efficiency, reliability and user and environmental friendliness of the transport system in Hong Kong, was finalised in early 2001. The Government is preparing for the implementation of the ITS Strategy, which comprises the development of a Transport Information System and a comprehensive region-wide traffic and incident management framework that includes a Traffic Management and Information Centre.

A number of legislative amendments were enacted in 2000 to promote road safety. Since January 1, 2001, penalties for speeding by over 30 km/h beyond the legal limit have been raised. The requirement to fit and wear seat belts was extended on the same date to passengers sitting in the rear seats of taxis. The ban on the use of hand-held telecommunication equipment while driving has also become effective, since July 1. To further enhance road safety, the Government is preparing the legislative amendments to extend the seat belt requirement to the passenger seats of public light buses; to make the use of vehicle headlamps compulsory for all vehicles at night-time or in low visibility conditions; and to introduce a driver improvement scheme to enable drivers to attend to and rectify their problematic driving attitude and behaviour.

Administrative Framework

The Transport Bureau of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for the overall policy formulation, direction and co- ordination of land transport and ferry services. The Secretary is assisted by the Transport Advisory Committee, which advises the Chief Executive in Council on major transport policies and issues. The committee has 21 appointed members, including the chairman and three government officials. A Transport Complaints Unit is established under the committee, which received 12 325 complaints and suggestions on traffic and transport matters in 2001. The bureau also has regular dialogue with the Legislative Council's Panel on Transport. On local transport matters, the Government is advised by the District Councils and their traffic and transport committees.

The bureau is supported by the Transport Department and the Highways Department. The Transport Department is headed by the Commissioner for Transport. The Highways Department is headed by the Director of Highways. The Transport Department is the authority for administering the Road Traffic Ordinance and legislation regulating public transport operations. Its responsibilities cover transport planning, road traffic and tunnel management, carparks and metered parking spaces, regulation of roads, railways and waterborne public transport, licensing of drivers and the registration, licensing and inspection of vehicles. The Highways Department is responsible for the overall design and construction of highways, and their repair and maintenance. The department also studies new railway proposals, monitors their construction, and helps to resolve any interfacing problems they may have with other works projects.

The Hong Kong Police Force is the principal agency for enforcing traffic legislation and prosecuting offenders. The Prosecutions Unit of the Transport Department handles prosecutions involving safety defects on buses, disqualification under the Driving Offence Points System, and breaches of vehicle safety regulations, government tunnel regulations and Tsing Ma Control Area regulations.

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