Failures on 2 fronts led to Hong Kong’s seat belt U-turn, experts say

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Ng Kang-chung,Matthew ChengJanuary 31, 2026 at 03:21 PM

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Hong Kong authorities reversed a new law requiring bus passengers to wear seat belts due to public criticism and regulatory issues. The law, which took effect in late January 2026, mandated seat belt use on buses with fines for non-compliance, but only applied to newly registered vehicles. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan acknowledged "deficiencies" in the legislation, stating it failed to reflect the intended policy of universal seat belt use. Political observers attributed the reversal to inadequate public consultation and a flawed drafting process. The incident is seen as a lesson for officials and lawmakers to better consider public perspectives when creating policies.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Legislative Council 60% Mable Chan 70% Hong Kong ×490%

Keywords

seat belt law 100% public consultation 80% policymaking 70% hong kong 60% u-turn 60% legislation deficiencies 50% bus passengers 50% public criticism 40%