"Popular Among Koreans"... You Could Face Jail for Not Wearing a Seatbelt

Full Implementation Across Public Transportation from January 25
Rear Seats of Buses and Trucks Also Included
Stricter Driver Responsibility

Hong Kong is significantly strengthening safety regulations across its public transportation system. With the implementation of new rules that could impose up to imprisonment for not wearing a seatbelt, extra caution is required for Korean tourists who frequently visit Hong Kong.

Image of cars on a city street in Hong Kong. Pexels

According to foreign media outlets such as the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Daily Hong Kong on January 8 (local time), Hong Kong authorities announced that, starting January 25, a revised traffic regulation will come into effect, mandating the use of seatbelts on all forms of public transportation-including both public and private buses-as well as certain cargo trucks and special-purpose vehicles.

Mandatory for Rear Seats of Buses and Trucks... Up to Imprisonment for Non-Compliance

Under the new regulation, passengers must wear seatbelts in all seats equipped with them on public and private buses, such as franchised and school buses. This requirement also applies to rear-seat passengers in private minibuses and cargo trucks. Failure to wear a seatbelt may result in a fine of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 930,000 Korean won) and imprisonment for up to three months.

Image of a seatbelt installed on a bus. Photo by SCMP

Driver responsibility is also being further strengthened. Drivers of private vehicles, including cargo trucks and special-purpose vehicles, will be fined an additional 2,000 Hong Kong dollars if a passenger under the age of 15 is found not wearing a seatbelt.

Authorities explained that children who are able to sit properly on their own must occupy individual seats and wear seatbelts. For infants who cannot sit alone, guardians are advised to first fasten their own seatbelt and then hold the child, in order to reduce the risk of the infant being ejected from the vehicle in the event of an accident.

No Exceptions for Tour Guides... Enhanced Promotion and Education for Visitors

The government emphasized the effectiveness of seatbelts in improving traffic safety as the basis for these measures. A Hong Kong government spokesperson stated, "Research shows that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death or serious injury by about 40% for drivers and about 70% for passengers in head-on collisions."

Vehicle registration standards are also being tightened. All public and private vehicles registered for the first time after January 25-including special-purpose vehicles such as mobile cranes and road-cleaning vehicles-must have seatbelts installed for every passenger seat.

The police have indicated a flexible enforcement approach during the initial phase of the crackdown. A police official explained, "In the process of law enforcement, we will comprehensively review the actual circumstances and reasons for each violation to determine prosecution in a fair and objective manner."

Additionally, police emphasized that tour guides are not permitted to stand at the front of the bus and must be seated with their seatbelts fastened. Authorities plan to continue promotional and educational activities targeting both Hong Kong residents and visitors during the early stage of the regulation's implementation.