New device set to drive up seat belt use on minibuses

Bowie Tse

A new device to remind passengers to wear seat belts will be installed on green minibuses from next year, sources have said.

The Transport Department trialed the device - sensor - on eight minibus routes in September and found the results to be satisfactory, according to The Standard's sister publication Headline Daily.

The device will be installed on seats and seat belt buckles and the status will be displayed through LED signals and LCD screens.

The LED signals will be installed above passenger seats. A green light signal will be displayed if a seat is not occupied, while a red light will indicate a seat is occupied but its seat belt is unfastened.

A buzzer will also be triggered to remind passengers to buckle up. The LED signal and buzzer will switch off when the seat belts are fastened.

Two LCD screens will be installed adjacent to the driver's seat and the passenger entrance to indicate seat occupancy and the seat belt status of individual seats.

Aimed at raising passengers' awareness in wearing seat belts, the department launched a technical study in phases last year. It tested the device in eight green minibuses on different routes - 20C, 403, 36, 56, 58, 27M, 54 and 54M.

The results of the trial proved the device's technical feasibility in displaying seat occupancy and seat belt fastening status precisely, the department told The Standard.

Further data from drivers and passengers are being collected to conclude the study before the process moves to discussions with the industry and manufacturers.

So Sai-hung, chairman of Green Minibus Maxicab Operators General Association Ltd, supported the installation of the sensor.

"The device can further safeguard passengers' safety, " So said. "We haven't received the details regarding the price or coverage of the device installation but I believe it will be put on the agenda at the regular meeting next month."

A minibus driver called Uncle Kuen said the buzzer from the device can urge passengers to fasten seat belts. It is not uncommon, he added, that confrontations break out between drivers and passengers when they are reminded to buckle up.

"When a buzzer sounds, passengers embarrassed by the noise would be prompted to fasten their seat belts,"he said.

According to legislation, passengers of public light buses must fasten their seat belts and will be liable to up to a HK$5,000 fine and three months' imprisonment if they do not comply.

For the first 11 months of the year, a total of 212 minibus passengers were fined for failing to buckle up.

bowie.tse@singtaonewscorp.com