Hong Kong police arrest Tesla driver seen speeding past elderly pedestrian on zebra crossing
- Viral video shows elderly man swinging his walking stick at vehicle as it speeds past at close range
- Driver, 51, picked up in Tuen Mun for questioning; dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of three years’ jail
Viral video of a Tesla speeding through a Hong Kong zebra crossing as an elderly man walked across it has led to the arrest of the motorist involved on suspicion of dangerous driving.
According to the police force, the 51-year-old driver was detained on Thursday morning after he was found in Tuen Mun.
“The vehicle involved in the incident is being impounded for inspection,” police said in a statement.
As of 2pm, the suspect was still being held for questioning but had not been charged.
Officers from the Kowloon East traffic unit launched an investigation after the dashcam video was circulated online on Wednesday, shortly after the 10.30am incident on Sau Ming Road.
In the 15-second video, an elderly man walking with a stick can be seen in the middle of the zebra crossing – identified by black and white stripes, zigzag lines on either side and a yellow beacon – as the car speeds past him.
The footage shows the man swinging his walking stick in a fruitless attempt to hit the vehicle as it flies past.
The road markings warn drivers that there may be pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road. Drivers must give way to anyone who has stepped onto a Zebra crossing.
According to police, no one was injured in the incident.
Dangerous driving carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a driving licence suspension of at least six months.
“Police will continue to strengthen law enforcement to crack down on serious road traffic violations to ensure smooth traffic and the safety of road users,” the force said.
