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.