Road Traffic Law scrapped for failing to meet criteria

The Legislative Assembly Executive Committee has determined that the Road Traffic Law bill submitted in 2023 does not meet the criteria for a plenary vote and has therefore been scrapped.

The First Standing Committee held its final closed-door meeting on Friday to discuss the bill’s resolution, following its June 11 meeting.

The committee has since submitted its report on the amendment to president Kou Hoi In.

The government introduced the amendment in December 2023, which received general approval at a plenary session in February 2024 before further review.

At a post-meeting press briefing on Friday, Ella Lei, chairperson of the committee, underscored the law’s significance for residents and road users, emphasizing a cautious approach due to its social implications. She noted that over 20 meetings were held during the review, with government representatives attending 14.

The review process consisted of two stages: the first focused on fundamental issues, such as the legislative approach and the “violation point system,” while the second involved inviting government representatives for in-depth discussions.

Lei stated that many concerns regarding legislative orientation and practical implementation remain unaddressed in the government’s final draft, indicating that “there are no conditions for reviewing the bill.”

According to the lawmaker, during the June 11 meeting, government officials suggested they would respond to certain provisions, but it remains uncertain whether these adjustments will gain societal approval.

Since that meeting, the government has not addressed the committee’s questions or submitted a formal revised text.

Friday’s meeting lasted approximately 70 minutes, during which the committee found the government’s submitted text insufficient. The report has now been submitted to president Kou for follow-up in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

The Legislative Assembly website uploaded the Executive Committee’s resolution on Friday night, stating that the Road Traffic Law bill does not meet the conditions for submission to a plenary session for voting. The government may reintroduce the bill at a later date after the current Legislative Council session concludes.

The resolution noted that discussions between the Legislative Assembly president and the government revealed that the complexity of follow-up research would hinder the timely completion of a formal revised text.

After further discussions, both parties unanimously agreed that the bill currently does not meet the conditions for a plenary vote. This consensus was reported to the Executive Committee, which supported the decision.

Additionally, the standing committee’s report stated that it had not received the final revised text, and both the working and original texts of the bill remained undeveloped.

With the legislative session nearing its end and elections approaching, there has been no decision to extend the session, meaning the Legislative Assembly will not convene after its regular term expires.