Hong Kong reviews dangerous driving penalties following bus deaths

Nov 4, 2006, 8:46 GMT

Hong Kong - Penalties for dangerous driving could be increased the government of Hong Kong said Saturday after two minibus drivers had their jail terms for dangerous driving increased to the maximum five years.

Secretary for the environment, transport and works, Sarah Liao, said the maximum jail term may rise following a review of the penalties for dangerous driving. Officials will carry out the assessment and submit proposals to local legislators for approval.

This follows a decision by Hong Kong's appeals court to increase the jail terms of two drivers whose early morning race in two minibuses ended in an accident that cost the lives of two passengers and injured another 17.

Chief Judge of the High Court Geoffrey Ma Tao-li suggested that the pair could have been charged with manslaughter following the crash in the North Point district two years ago.

Poon Wing-kay, 30, was originally sentenced to two years in jail for dangerous driving and 15 months for racing, while Liu Chun-pong, 25, was jailed for 30 months for dangerous driving and 15 months for racing. The sentences were to run concurrently.

The appeals court also extended the license disqualification period for the drivers from two years to 12.

Judge Ma also questioned how two men with appalling driving records were able to drive minibuses, even after the fatal accident.

The appeal court heard that Liu had 27 convictions for traffic offences, nine of which were for running red lights, including two offences that were committed while driving minibuses after the deadly race.

Poon had 10 driving convictions and had been banned from driving twice since 1996. One of the convictions came after the minibus accident.