Operation Safety 營運安全

Checks Before Driving 行車前檢查

Drivers must be familiar with how their vehicle performs, and should not attempt to drive it unless confident of doing so safely. Before getting in, walk round and inspect the body. Tyres should be properly inflated and free from damage and foreign objects, with tread at least 1 mm deep across at least 3/4 of the breadth and round the entire outer circumference. No wheel nuts or bolts should be missing or loose, and they must be tightened to the manufacturer's recommended torque after a wheel or tyre change.

The outside check also covers the following: engine and luggage compartment covers, fuel, LPG or charging port covers, and doors are securely closed; window glass is undamaged; wiper blades are not cracked or excessively worn; driving mirrors are secure; lighting works normally and is clean; and there are no leaks of lubricating oil, brake fluid, fuel or LPG.

Before departure, make sure there is enough fuel, LPG or battery power and that fluid levels are sufficient. The vehicle must not be overloaded, because this affects steering and braking, and the driver's view to the front and rear must be clear. The driver's seat and mirrors must be correctly adjusted, and all gauges and driving controls must work normally. Seat belts must also function properly, and the driver and every passenger must wear them correctly.

Some requirements depend on the vehicle. The driver monitoring system in a fleet taxi must operate normally, and a ride-hailing vehicle providing ride-hailing passenger services must display its vehicle certificate in the location and manner specified by the Commissioner for Transport. The law has been amended to require a journey recording system in all taxis, installed or modified only by an authorised installer, with the effective date to be announced by the Government. Once the requirement takes effect, taxi drivers must ensure that the system works normally, that the in-vehicle camera is unobstructed, and that clear notices in prominent places tell passengers the camera is recording.

During Driving and in Emergencies 行車時及緊急事故

Safety comes first when driving. Stay attentive, look well ahead and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, especially in adverse weather such as heavy rain or fog. Pay special attention to blind spots. Before moving off or reversing, use the rear-view mirrors or other monitoring devices, then look around for a final check, and move only when it is safe.

Drivers must comply with traffic signs, road markings, traffic signals and other rules, follow speed limits and be courteous to other road users. They should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross. If a pedestrian has already stepped onto a zebra crossing, the driver must stop and let the pedestrian cross first.

In a breakdown or emergency, the first priority is the safety of the driver and passengers. Turn on the hazard warning lights immediately. If possible, get the vehicle off the carriageway, onto a lay-by, hard shoulder or hard strip if there is one.

Unless certain that everyone can safely get clear of the carriageway and wait for help in a safe place, such as behind crash barriers, the driver should stay in the vehicle and remain buckled up. A driver who has left the vehicle must not stay on the carriageway or stand in front of or behind the vehicle, and must keep in mind the danger of passing traffic.

Passenger Boarding and Alighting, and Child Passengers 乘客上落及兒童乘客

Take extra care with the surroundings before stopping. Never pick up or drop off passengers where this may cause obstruction or danger to other road users, such as at pedestrian crossings, road bends or junctions. Before opening a door, the vehicle must have come to a complete stop with the parking brake firmly applied. Before closing a door, check the cabin to make sure all passengers have safely boarded or alighted, and check that no personal belongings have been left behind.

A ride-hailing vehicle is essentially a private car, so the statutory rules on child restraining devices (CRDs) apply. A child under eight must use a CRD unless the child has reached 1.35 metres in height. A child aged eight or above, or at least 1.35 metres tall, must use a CRD or wear a normal seat belt. The driver commits the offence if these rules are broken and is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2,000.

A licensed platform may decide whether to offer trips with CRDs. If a surcharge applies, it should tell passengers about the fee arrangements before the trip begins.

These CRD rules do not apply to taxis. Taxi passengers must wear seat belts if the seats are fitted with them. An adult travelling with a child who could not sit steadily on a seat must wear a seat belt first and then hold the child on his or her lap. A child who could sit steadily on a seat may wear a seat belt.

Mobile Telecommunications Devices 流動電訊裝置

Mobile telecommunications devices (MTDs) means mobile phones, tablet computers and laptop computers. While driving, a driver must not place more than two in front of him or her, and each screen must have a diagonal length of no more than 19 centimetres. The devices must not block the driver's direct view of the road and traffic, or the indirect view through any mirror, device or monitor unit fitted to the vehicle.

When the vehicle is in motion, the driver must not use an MTD by holding it in the hand or between the head and shoulder. An offending driver is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2,000.

Even when these placement and use rules are met, drivers should avoid using MTDs or their applications, because distraction can lead to a loss of control. If using a device affects the driving, the driver may have committed dangerous driving or careless driving, whether or not an accident results.