RoadRoad Users’Users’ CodeCode PreparedPrepared by by the the Transport Transport Department Department TheThe Government Government of of the the DesignedDesigned by by the the Information Information Services Services Department Department PrintedPrinted by by the the Government Government Logistics Logistics Department Department HongHong Kong Kong Special Special Administrative Administrative Region Region HongHong Kong Kong Special Special Administrative Administrative Region Region Government Government $42 JuneJune 2020 2020 Edition Edition EffectiveEffective from from 19 19 June June 2020 2020 Prepared by the Transport Department Designed by the Information Services Department Printed by the Government Logistics Department Copyright Reserved ‛Pursuant to the Road Traffic Ordinance, a failure on the part of any person to observe any rule or follow any advice in the Road Usersʼ Code is in itself not an offence, but any such failure may be taken into account in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal, and including proceedings for an offence under the Road Traffic Ordinance) when deciding if a road user was at fault or not and to what extent, and may also be relied on for establishing or negativing any liability under any of these proceedings. It should however be noted that many of the rules in the Road Usersʼ Code directly reflect the law and a person not observing these rules may be committing an offence. Changes in legislation may render parts of the Code incorrect. In all instances, the prevailing legislation takes precedence.ʼ Further enquiry For enquiries, please contact the Transport Department through 1823 as follows: Telephone hotline 1823 Fax hotline 2760 1823 E-mail address [email protected] Road Users’ Code The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region How to use this Book This book contains a wide Chapter 1 Chapter 4 Chapter 6 Chapter 9 range of rules, advice and For All Road Users For Cyclists For Professional Drivers Children and Elderly information for all types of This self-contained chapter This chapter gives additional People as Road Users road users covering most Everyone should read this It gives an covers the basic needs for rules for drivers of commercial Children are road users too road and traffic conditions. chapter. introduction about the Road novice as well as experienced vehicles and for transport of but they may not be able to It is divided into chapters for Users’ Code with rules, advice cyclists. Advice is given on goods. follow the rules and advice different types of road users and information, including the selecting and maintaining a given to passengers, with additional chapters traffic law for all road users. safe cycle, preparing yourself It is intended to be read in pedestrians and cyclists as covering special topics. Each for the road and riding on the addition to Chapter 5. appropriate. This chapter is chapter contains a number of Chapter 2 road. Chapter 7 intended for those responsible topics. Some of these topics For Pedestrians for children as road users so are inter-related, while some For Riders of Motor Cycles Cyclists may also find that they can guide children are self-contained. Everyone should read this and Motor Tricycles Rules and advice for some of the topics in on the road, or teach children chapter. This chapter gives additional It is not just a book for casual using pavements and roads, Chapter 5 of interest. those rules and advice from rules for riders of motor cycles reading. It is a book to be crossing the road and using Chapter 5 the Road Usersʼ Code and motor tricycles. Some used, to be dipped into, and crossing places are given. The appropriate to their needs and For All Drivers rules and advice are also to be referred to constantly. Road Crossing Code and how development. It also contains given for their passengers. to use it are fully explained. All drivers and riders of advice for elderly people as To get the best from the book, There is also advice for users motor vehicles should read pedestrians and passengers first identify which chapters . It is intended to be read in of handcarts and those in this self-contained chapter of public transport. and topics meet your needs. It describes many of the traffic addition to Chapter 5. charge of animals. Read them carefully and make situations and road features Chapter 8 Chapter 10 sure you understand the rules, Chapter 3 and gives rules and advice for The Language of the Road Emergencies advice and information given. For Passengers safe behaviour. Much of the Some of the topics may not knowledge and understanding Everyone should read this Everyone should read this . It describes the It gives advice to be of direct interest to you, Everyone should read this that learner drivers will need chapter chapter. It contains rules and different signals used by road drivers on what to do in an depending on your needs. chapter. to demonstrate in the written advice for using public users to communicate with emergency, such as a traffic You may wish to read some of and practical driving tests can transport as well as advice for each other. It also features accident or vehicle the other chapters so that you be gained from this chapter. private car passengers. most of the traffic signs, traffic breakdown. It also gives can understand the needs of light signals and road advice to anyone who arrives other road users or as markings you will find on the at the scene of an accident, preparation for the future. roads of Hong Kong and so they can help prevent gives their meanings. further injuries and give aid to any injured persons and others involved in the accident. 2 Contents Chapter 1 26 Using Light Rail Vehicles 60 Cyclists 92 Where Not to Park 119 Temporary Signs and For All Road Users or Trams 61 Other Road Users 94 Where to Park Road Markings 4 The Road Usersʼ Code 27 Using Public Light 62 White Lines and 95 Parking 121 Direction Signs 5 The Road Usersʼ Code Buses, Taxis or Private Traffic Lanes 122 Traffic Signs giving Cars Chapter 6 and the Law 63 Double White Lines Information 28 Persons with Disabilities For Professional Drivers Chapter 2 64 Light Rail Lanes 124 Road Markings giving 96 Commercial Vehicles Warning and Information For Pedestrians Chapter 4 65 Bus Lanes 98 Loads, Long Vehicles, 125 Road Markings giving 6 Using Roads and For Cyclists 66 One-Way Roads Towing Orders Pavements 29 Cycling 67 Narrow Roads, 99 Restrictions 128 Strategic Route Numbers 8 The Road Crossing 30 You and Your Cycle Steep Hills Code Chapter 7 31 Safe Cycling 68 Dual Carriageways Chapter 9 10 Using the Road For Riders of Motor Cycles 32 Giving Signals 69 Roads with Faster Traffic Children and Elderly People Crossing Code and Motor Tricycles as Road Users 33 Riding on the Road 70 Expressways and 12 Crossing Roads near 100 Before You Ride 130 Children on the Road 36 Turning and Junctions Trunk Roads Parked Vehicles 101 Riding Along 132 Elderly People on the 37 Using Roundabouts 73 Tunnel Areas and 13 Crossing at or near a 102 Positioning Road 38 Cycleways Control Areas Junction with no Traffic 103 Signals, Passengers, 74 Junctions Chapter 10 Lights and Carrying Loads Chapter 5 Emergencies 14 Crossing Places 78 Traffic Light Junctions For All Drivers Chapter 8 79 Stop and 133 Breakdowns and 15 Using ʻZebraʼ Crossings 41 Driving Give Way Junctions The Language of the Road Emergencies 16 Using ʻGreen Man’ 42 Safety Checks 104 Signals 134 Warning other Drivers Crossings 80 Roundabouts 43 Seat Belts 106 Traffic Lights 135 Traffic Accidents 17 Pedestrian Lights 82 Junctions with Dual 45 Child Safety in Cars Carriageways 107 Traffic Lights for Drivers 137 In an Emergency 18 Crossing the Road at and Cyclists Traffic Light Junctions 46 Airbags 84 ʻZebraʼ Crossings 138 First Aid on the Road 47 Driver Education 85 ʻGreen Manʼ Crossings 108 Lane Signals 20 No-Crossing Zones Traffic Accidents 49 Before Moving Off 109 Signing System 21 Handcarts, Animals, 86 Bright Sunlight, In an emergency at the site Marching Groups 50 On the Road Driving at Night 111 Traffic Signs giving of a traffic accident, go to Orders 22 Persons with Disabilities 54 Stopping Distance 87 Rain, Fog, Wind 137 What to do 115 Traffic Signals giving 55 How Fast 88 Road Works Chapter 3 Orders 138 First aid For Passengers 56 Overtaking 89 Road Works on Dual Carriageways/in Tunnels 116 Traffic Signs giving 24 Public Transport 58 Pedestrians Warning Further Reference 90 Where Not to Stop Materials 25 Using Buses 3 Chapter 1 For All Road Users For All Road Users The Road Users’ Code Introduction The Road Usersʼ Code lays Rules and advice for all Traffic signs, traffic light Signals down the rules of behaviour The safe and efficient use of road users signals and road markings and gives advice on when and the road system depends on Avoid any behaviour likely to how to follow them. all road users following the put any person in danger, to same rules of behaviour. The Road Usersʼ Code also cause damage to public or gives safety advice, and private property, or to obstruct Some of the rules are also laid explains and gives advice on other road users. down by law. These rules help different traffic conditions and you avoid dangerous Do not obstruct other road road features, including traffic behaviour. They also let you users or make their passage signs, traffic light signals and know what behaviour you can dangerous by throwing, road markings that you will Know the meaning of signals, expect from other road users depositing or leaving any come across when driving or including arm signals, given and what behaviour they can object or substance on the out walking.