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Children under the age of eight or shorter than 1.35 metres (4.43 feet) are required to wear devices such as seat belt adjusters or child safety seats in private vehicles starting this Saturday, with serious violations potentially resulting in a HK$2,000 (US$257) fine. The Transport Department said on Wednesday that the rules would apply regardless of which seat the passenger was sitting in, with anyone above the age and height thresholds expected to wear a suitable device or a seat belt for adults. “There are similar regulations in Shanghai, Shenzhen, the EU, Japan and Singapore,” it said. The department noted that in terms of traffic accidents where children under eight were injured or killed, the proportion of incidents involving private cars had gone from about 43 per cent in 2021 to around 60 per cent last year. It added that research had shown that such safety devices could lower the risk of injury or death by 70 per cent in accidents when vehicles had head-on collisions. The department shared other acceptable examples of what it called “child restraining devices”, including wearable safety restraint vests and foldable boosters. According to the government, police may issue a fixed penalty notice of HK$230 to offending drivers. Serious cases may be referred to the court, which can impose a maximum fine of HK$2,000. The department said the main concern when choosing such devices for children was ensuring they took into account youngsters’ weight and height, and that the products complied with recognised standards.
