Transport chief announces public consultation and expert study on seat belt rules

Transport and Logistics Secretary Mable Chan announced on Friday that the government will launch a public consultation on seat belt requirements and invite experts to study their effectiveness.

The new mandatory seat belt law for bus passengers took effect on January 25 but was suspended within days. Former lawmaker and practicing lawyer Doreen Kong Yuk-foon questioned whether the amended legislation applied only to buses first registered on or after January 25, 2026.

After seeking advice from the Department of Justice, the bureau decided to submit subsidiary legislation to delete the provision. It will gather views from all sectors, refine the wording, and consult the Legislative Council later.

The government gazetted the deletion of the passenger seat belt requirement on February 6.

Chan said no seat belt law currently applies to franchised or non-franchised buses. She admitted that staff failed to spot flaws in the legislation and that communication was inadequate, vowing to strengthen internal mechanisms and raise awareness to prevent a recurrence.

The original intent was to protect public safety through seat belts. The Chief Executive has directed continued efforts, stressing the need to balance promotion and implementation.