The government issued a reminder on Wednesday that children under the age of eight will need to use safety seats or other restraining devices while traveling in private cars in Hong Kong from Saturday (Nov 1).
The Transport Department (TD) posted on its social media about the rising numbers of traffic accidents around the city involving children under eight years old in private cars.
The proportion of such incidents in private vehicles has increased from about 43 percent in 2021 to 60 percent in 2024.
Research shows that child restraint devices can effectively reduce the risk of injury or death for children in head-on collisions by up to 70 percent, it added.
The rule will apply regardless of whether children are seated in the front or back passenger seat. All children under the age of eight must use a child restraint device, such as a child safety seat, unless they are at least 1.35 meters tall.
Additionally, children aged eight or older, or those who are at least 1.35 meters tall, are required to wear an adult seat belt.
The TD also urged parents to consider the height and weight requirements of child restraint devices when selecting a product and to ensure that it complies with national or internationally recognized safety standards.
Parents can visit the department’s website for information on these standards and guidance to help them choose suitable products.
Police officers will hand out fixed penalty notices of HK$230 to non-compliant drivers, while more severe breaches could lead to court proceedings and the maximum fine.
