Seatbelts can cut injury risk by up to 70pc, TD says as new rules set to take effect

Wearing seatbelts can reduce the risk of fatal and serious injuries in traffic accidents by as much as 40 percent and 70 percent respectively, the Transport Department said, as it reminded public transport and commercial vehicle operators that all seatbelts must be kept in proper working condition from January 25.

The requirement applies to vehicles for which seatbelt installation and use will become mandatory from that date, including buses, minibuses, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the department said seated passengers who wear seatbelts receive crucial protection in the event of a collision, citing studies that show significant reductions in the likelihood of death and serious injury in head-on crashes.

The department added that franchised buses are also fitted with safety features such as continuous handrails and non-slip flooring to protect standing passengers.

Bus operators are responsible for regular inspection, repair, and maintenance of seatbelts to ensure they remain in proper working order. They are also required to enhance communication with drivers to clarify their responsibilities under the new regulations.

Kowloon Motor Bus said it has issued internal guidelines for drivers on how to handle cases in which a seatbelt is found to be damaged or when a passenger reports a malfunction. 

Under the guidelines, drivers should record the details under safe conditions and inform the company when they reach the terminal, although they are not required to check every seatbelt individually.

KMB also said all buses in its fleet undergo regular checks, including daily inspections, monthly servicing, and annual examinations, to ensure components and safety equipment, such as seatbelt,s are functioning properly.