I refer to the letter headlined 'Flawed headlights law in need of some fine-tuning' (South China Morning Post, August 8).
To improve road safety, the Transport Department amended the legislation on the use of vehicle headlamps and hazard warning lights, on July 1. The regulations stipulate that during the 'hours of darkness' or in 'poor visibility conditions', the driver of a motor vehicle is required to turn on all obligatory headlamps and obligatory rear lamps of his vehicle while driving.
It is not true that 'poor visibility conditions' are not specified. In addition to the 'hours of darkness', the 'poor visibility conditions' have also been specified in the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations Chapter 374. 'Hour of darkness' means the time between a quarter of an hour after sunset and a quarter of an hour before sunrise. 'Poor visibility conditions' mean such conditions (other than in the hours of darkness) which adversely affect visibility (fog, smoke, heavy rain or spray, dense cloud, or any similar conditions) and seriously reduce the ability of other road users to see a vehicle.
We consider that the new laws cover all the necessary conditions where drivers are required to turn on their headlamps.
TONY YAU
for Commissioner for Transport