Police yesterday ran a sting operation on illegal private vehicle hire in the southern New Territories. Four male drivers, aged between 24 and 59, were arrested for “illegal driving of cars for hire or passenger pay” and “no third party insurance while driving a car”. All arrested persons have been released on bail pending investigation and are required to report to the police in late March. In addition, the four vehicles involved were suspected of being illegally modified and suspected of violating the Road Traffic (Vehicle Structure and Maintenance) Ordinance. They have been detained for further inspection.
Police officers disguised themselves as renting three private cars from Lai King, Sai Kung, and Wu Kai Sha to the airport. The three drivers charged $450, $380, and $450 respectively. In addition, the police also dispatched disguised passengers to rent a light goods vehicle through a mobile app to travel from Tsuen Wan to Fo Tan. The fare was $130.
When the vehicle arrived at its destination, the plain clothes policemen immediately revealed their identity.
Police stressed that under the provisions of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374 of the Laws of Hong Kong) on ”Restrictions on the Use of Vehicles”, no person shall drive or allow others to drive or use a car for hire or reward unless a relevant licence is issued For passenger purposes, the first conviction can be fined $5,000 and three months imprisonment, and repeat offenders can be fined $10,000 and imprisoned for six months.
Under the Automobile Insurance (Third Party Risks) Ordinance, Chapter 272 of the Laws of Hong Kong, anyone who does not purchase third party insurance for a car is an offence and is liable to a fine of $10,000 and 12 months imprisonment and have their licence revoked for 12 months to 3 years.
As there is no third-party insurance for illegally rented passenger-carrying vehicles, passengers and other vehicles or road users may lose any protection in the case of accident. Police urge the public not to rent the vehicles. The owners of private cars involved in the case also have to bear criminal responsibility.
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