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2026
The Government today reminded members of the public that, starting from January 25, all seated passengers on public transport and in commercial vehicles must wear seat belts. In addition, drivers of all vehicles must not place more than two mobile telecommunications devices (MTDs) in front of themselves during driving. Under new rules, all passenger seats on public and private buses, all rear passenger seats on private light buses and goods vehicles, and all driver seats and passenger seats on special purpose vehicles must be equipped with seat belts if the vehicles are first registered on or after January 25. Drivers and passengers occupying seats of these types of vehicles, whether newly registered or not, will be required to wear seat belts if they are provided. Going forward, offending vehicle owners, drivers or passengers will all be liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for up to three months. The Government said that around 3,500 franchised buses are now equipped with seat belts, representing about 60% of the entire fleet in Hong Kong. As for the MTD requirement, from January 25 drivers must have more than two devices – whether mobile phones, tablet computers or laptop computers – in front of them as they drive. The diagonal length of individual screens must not exceed 19 cm, and MTDs must not obstruct a driver’s view of the road or of any device fitted for viewing roads. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $2,000. Call 2804 2600 for details.
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that around 950,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong over New Year holidays between the New Year’s Eve and yesterday, representing an increase of about 40% over the same period last year. The working group remarked that all aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, said the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland. Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, visitors were attracted to experience the festive ambience in the city. During the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740,000, representing an increase of about 48% year-on-year. Whereas the number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210,000, representing an increase of about 19%. Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 220,000 on January 1. Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays as well as attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park.