Legislative amendments for mandating fitting and wearing of seat belts and regulating use of mobile telecommunications devices while driving gazetted

The Government published in the Gazette today (September 5) the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 and the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulations), with a view to further enhancing road safety.

The Amendment Regulations cover two arrangements, including:

extending the mandatory fitting and wearing of seat belts to all newly registered public transport vehicles and commercial vehicles (including buses, private light buses, goods vehicles and special purpose vehicles) and their seats. Where seats are equipped with seat belts, passengers must wear them; furthermore, all student service vehicles (including existing and newly registered vehicles) will be required to be fitted with seat belts and safer seats to enhance the protection for young students; and
strengthening the regulations for drivers' use of mobile telecommunications devices (including mobile phones, tablets and laptops) while driving. Restrictions will be imposed on the number of devices (no more than two), screen size (each screen's diagonal length not exceeding 19 centimetres) and placement of the device (not obstructing the driver's view of the road and traffic conditions and not interfering with the line of sight to mirrors, devices or camera displays used for observing road conditions), thereby enhancing driver safety.

A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The two amendments aim to enhance the safety of passengers travelling on public transport and commercial vehicles, as well as the safety of using mobile telecommunications devices while driving. In formulating the Amendment Regulations, the Government has struck an appropriate balance among road safety, the operational needs of the transport trades and technological developments."

The Government has considered the views put forward by various stakeholders, including the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, the Transport Advisory Committee and representatives of the transport trades. Details of the regulatory regime and commencement dates are specified in the respective Amendment Regulations, with relevant information featured in the Legislative Council Brief issued by the Government yesterday (September 4).

The Amendment Regulations will be tabled before the Legislative Council on September 10 for the negative vetting procedure.

Ends/Friday, September 5, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:00