If Carrie Lam really cared, she’d enforce Hong Kong transport safety standards

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has expressed her government’s concern about the recent rise in road fatalities, most involving public service vehicles (“Seven children among nine injured in school bus accident – second in 24 hours”, December 11). Yet, she has failed to take any action to ensure that all vehicles used by the public have safety belts and grab handles fitted. Would it really be that difficult to implement, as some industry groups claim?

Had this been the case in some accidents of late, lives could have been saved. However, it appears that the preservation of life remains a low priority here in Hong Kong, whereas in most civilised societies there is very strict regulation and compliance with respect to such basic public health and safety requirements.

Five ways Hong Kong can improve road safety

Despite the so-called “charm offensive”, where she said “even one serious road accident is too many”, Ms Lam continues in much the same vein as her predecessor.

Calls mount for stricter seat belt rules on buses after deadly crash

Nothing really changes, it seems, as long as we continue to protect and support the big business corporations and wealthy tycoons, ensuring that we don’t impose any “unnecessary” expense on this elite, no matter what risk or danger that might potentially hold for the ordinary citizen!

This elitist minority are only too happy to see the current “status quo” maintained and upheld by the government of the day.

Bill Palmer, Sai Kung