Truck drivers could be banned from reversing their vehicles in lanes or blind alleys under recommendations by the Transport Advisory Committee in response to a spate of fatal accidents. The committee also says guidelines should be issued to drivers advising them not to reverse their trucks at more than 5km/h in streets with potential danger. Or they should be advised to bring along an assistant to help them keep watch while reversing. Put to the Transport Department yesterday, the proposals follow several fatal accidents in the past two months involving reversing trucks. But despite public calls for legislation, the committee advised against making new laws for the time being. It also expressed reservations about requiring truck drivers to have an assistant to keep watch at the back of the truck while they reverse, saying it could increase the costs of the trade. Committee chairman Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah said after the meeting that members preferred guidelines to making laws because they believed legislation would be too time-consuming. 'We would like the Transport Department to discuss with district councils to identify those blind alleys or lanes which need attention,' Ms Cheng said, adding the committee had not recommended a specific timetable. 'In case trucks are banned from entering a narrow street, there should be arrangements in place to ensure goods delivery to the area would not be disrupted.' Public concern over truck safety rose after four people were killed in three accidents involving reversing truck in the past two months. Last month two accidents - in Western and Mong Kok - involving reversing trucks claimed the lives of three people, including an 11-month-old baby and her father. The most recent accident saw an elderly pedestrian knocked down in a narrow lane in Western on October 5. Of laws requiring truck drivers to be accompanied by an assistant to keep watch, Ms Cheng said: 'This is feasible as a matter of concept. But I think if one is to make it a law, there are difficulties because we have to balance the interests of a lot of people, including those in the logistics trade.' There were also calls for laws to require surveillance cameras to be fitted at the back of goods vehicles. 'But the devices might not be suitable for all types of lorries,' said Ms Cheng. 'The government will study in further detail whether, and how, to make it a legislative requirement.' Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung promised to look into different solutions. 'Maybe we can add a sensor at the back of the vehicle ... Road safety is not just about hardware but also software, which is the quality of road users,' she said. Eastern District councillor Chiu Chi-keung said last night the committee's proposals were acceptable. 'No one wants to see accidents on roads,' he said. 'We should not overreact after one or two accidents. The most important thing is to educate drivers as well as pedestrians to improve their road-safety attitude.' Central and Western district councillor Cheng Lai-king maintained making laws to require the installation of surveillance cameras was the best solution. She said she feared it would take too long for the Transport Department to consult the councils. 'Our experience in dealing with the transport officials is that they like to drag things out,' she said.