Public urged to observe road safety during Chinese New Year holidays
The Transport Department (TD) today (February 14) reminded all road users, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, to observe road safety during the Chinese New Year holidays.
"Motorists must not drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs as this will contravene the law. Drink driving and drug driving will not only endanger motorists themselves, but also other road users. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs will significantly impair one's driving ability. After drinking alcohol or taking drugs, one should use public transport services or arrange someone else to drive," a spokesman for the TD said.
"Motorists must not participate in illegal road racing and speeding. They should always maintain a steady and suitable speed, drive attentively at all times, observe road conditions and keep sufficient distance with the vehicle in front."
The TD reminded motorists to comply with the new road safety requirements implemented recently. They must not place more than two mobile telecommunications devices (i.e. mobile telephones, tablet computers or laptop computers) in front of them while driving. The diagonal length of each device's screen must not exceed 19 centimetres. Further, child passengers aged below 8 must use a Child Restraining Device in private cars, unless they reach a body height of 1.35 metres.
The spokesman also appealed to motorists not to park their vehicles illegally. They should park in a parking place or a car park to maintain smooth road traffic. This can avoid causing traffic jams, affecting public transport operations, blocking the passage of emergency vehicles, and obstructing the sight lines of pedestrians and other road users, which may otherwise cause traffic accidents. For motorists who commit traffic offences and cause traffic obstructions, the Police will issue warnings or summonses, or even tow away the vehicles concerned.
In addition, when cycling, members of the public are advised to cycle within their abilities and observe road safety, wear suitable helmets and personal protective equipment, and properly check their bicycles. They should not cycle on pavement.
Pedestrians must follow traffic rules when crossing the road and properly use crossing facilities. Before crossing the road, they must wait until the steady "green man" light signal shows and all traffic has stopped. When the "green man" light is flashing, they must not start to cross if they are still on the pavement. Do not watch or use mobile phones while crossing.
The TD stressed that road safety hinges on the co-operation of every road user, and appealed to the public to exercise self-discipline and comply with traffic rules.
The Transport Department (TD), Photo by Bastille Post
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
