Senior Counsel fined $2,000 for careless driving after crossing double white lines

Senior Counsel Alan Hoo Hong-ching has been fined HK$2,000 on Monday (Oct 27) over careless driving and failing to provide information upon request.

Hoo was said to be crossing double white lines and overtaking on the opposite side of the road while driving towards Panorama Gardens on August 14, 2024, and failing to submit information to the police within 21 days of the incident.

The Eastern Magistrates' Courts has found that the defendant's vehicle had crossed the lines less than two seconds after the preceding car came to a stop, while pedestrians were present on the opposite side. 

Magistrate Kestrel Lam Tsz-hong took into account several factors, including that no collision or casualties occurred, and that the preceding vehicle should not have stopped on that section of the road. 

He further noted that the defendant had crossed the line without speeding and with no oncoming vehicles, and that pedestrians should not have been crossing at that location.

The court concluded Hoo failed to slow down or stop while maintaining his speed after honking, thereby threatening pedestrian safety and ordered him to be fined HK$2,000.

The court also found Hoo for failing to provide a statement within the required 21-day response period. 

The court did not consider a valid defense from Hoo despite his request for an extension for the response period, as the law enforcement agency had duly delivered the notice on time.