No indicator law

I refer to the letter headlined 'Dreadful drivers' bad and dangerous habits go unpunished' (South China Morning Post, May 31).

In Hong Kong, there is at present no specific failure-to-signal offence, but in the Road Users' Code, drivers are strongly advised to use the directional indicators in good time before changing direction.

Any failure to follow the advice in the code may be taken into account in any proceedings when deciding if a road user was at fault or not, and to what extent and, in the event of an accident, could lead to a driver being charged with 'careless driving'.

Regarding screens being stuck over windows, thereby obscuring the view of drivers, regulations in Hong Kong stipulate that the minimum light transmission shall be 75 per cent for windscreens and 70 per cent for windows other than windscreens. This is to ensure that drivers have a clear field of vision.

Anyone suspecting that a vehicle is fitted with glass which does not comply with the legal requirements can call our vehicle-inspection office at 2867 4698. The vehicle owner will then be asked to come for an inspection at one of our vehicle-examination centres.

H. L. CHENG

for Commissioner for Transport