Lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung has licence suspended for dangerous driving

Politician Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung was yesterday banned from the roads for six months and fined HK$8,000 after being convicted of dangerous driving while heading to a controversial music event in Kai Tak.

But Magistrate Don So Man-lung said he accepted that Lam, 61, had crossed double-white lines, drove on the wrong side of the road for 15 to 17 metres and ran a red light out of carelessness, and as such he saw no need to jail him. Lam had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, having earlier admitted to the less serious charge of reckless driving.

The conviction will not affect Lam's membership of the Executive Council, his role as a lawmaker or his duties with the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee.

"The defendant did not commit the offence on purpose, but was continuously negligent," So told Kwun Tong Court as he delivered his verdict yesterday.

"The defendant had acted in a way that was contrary to that of a competent and careful driver. A competent driver would read the signs carefully first."

As well as suspending his licence for six months and fining him, So ordered Lam to complete a driving improvement course.

Lam's trial on January 6 heard that the Business and Professionals Alliance member drove in the wrong lane at the junction of Wang Chiu Road and Cheung Yip Street in Kowloon Bay.