Hong Kong Police Deploy Drones for First Time on West Kowloon Highway in Crackdown on Distracted Driving

For the first time, the Hong Kong Police Force has deployed drones to enforce traffic laws on West Kowloon Highway and Lin Cheung Road, targeting inattentive drivers from the air with ground officers ready to intercept and issue tickets.

Photo by Bastille Post

The enforcement operation, which runs from August 10 to 23, is part of two citywide traffic campaigns codenamed "CLEARVIEW" and "AUTOBINDER," coordinated by the Traffic Branch Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force in collaboration with five Traffic Regions. The Enforcement and Control Division of Traffic Kowloon West Region launched the drone patrols on Lin Cheung Road and West Kowloon Highway to combat distracted driving behaviours, including careless driving, using mobile phones while driving, as well as disobeying traffic signs and markings.

Photo by Bastille Post

Police set up a drone launch point at Nam Cheong Park and erected yellow warning signs and "Police Drones in Operation" banners along the roadside. The drones were fitted with identification stripes and red‑and‑blue flashing lights to warn road users that aerial enforcement was in progress. Footage captured by the drones was livestreamed to ground operators and command screens, enabling operators to identify and track specific vehicles for interception instantly.

Shortly after launching at around 10:30 am, the drones conducted fixed‑point aerial patrols over Lin Cheung Road and West Kowloon Highway. Photo by Bastille Post

Shortly after launching at around 10:30 am, the drones conducted fixed‑point aerial patrols over Lin Cheung Road and West Kowloon Highway. During the operation, a white private car was spotted changing lanes illegally, and a dump truck was seen travelling in the fast lane in violation of traffic regulations. Operators immediately relayed the violations and vehicle locations to ground officers. Pre‑positioned police units responded swiftly, intercepted the vehicles, and issued tickets.

Operators remotely control the drones. Photo by Bastille Post

Operators remotely control the drones. Photo by Bastille Post

The screen displays real‑time traffic conditions. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Cheng Ho-ming, Officer-in-Charge of the Task Force, Enforcement and Control Division of Traffic Kowloon West Region, explained that in addition to the drones' flashing lights, corresponding warning signs are placed along the enforcement routes to inform road users that drone enforcement is in operation.

The screen displays real‑time traffic conditions. Photo by Bastille Post

The Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force raided a law firm in Mong Kok on the evening of February 9th, deploying a large number of police force and seizing a significant amount of physical evidence. Allegedly, the raided law firm was involved in a new type of "crash for cash" scam that has recently garnered widespread attention.

The Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force raided a law firm in Mong Kok on the evening of February 9th, deploying a large number of police force and seizing a significant amount of physical evidence. Photo by Bastille Post

The Police previously stated that the new type of "crash for cash" scam involves drivers who encounter traffic accidents or violations. After a period of time, usually after the driver has been convicted of the violation, he or she would be claimed for damage compensation. The claimant would present documents from a law firm and the doctor's injury reports, demanding compensation from the driver. The highest amount of claimed compensation once reached over HKD$300,000.

The raided law firm, Photo by Bastille Post

The raided law firm, Photo by Bastille Post

The Police stated that the Commercial Crime Bureau is currently investigating over 100 suspicious cases, many of which involve the same lawyers and doctors, leading the Police to suspect a coordinated scam.

Photo by Bastille Post

The Police have previously arrested three men and one woman suspected to be in connection with the scam, including a 37-year-old couple claiming to be a taxi driver and nurse, and two doctors aged 56 and 69 respectively. All have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Photo by Bastille Post