Director of the Transportation Bureau (DSAT) Kelvin Lam Hin Sang

Driving around the country on single licence

The Traffic Consultant Council meeting yesterday discussed the potential implementation of mutual recognition of driving licences between the city and Mainland China.
Director of the Transportation Bureau (DSAT) Kelvin Lam Hin Sang remarked after the meeting that Macau drivers could obtain car licences from the Mainland without the need to take any examination, while Mainland drivers would be allowed to drive in Macau with Mainland driving licenses and a stay permit.
“The scheme would only be applicable to driving, not driving for work,” said Lam, adding that illegal driving performed by non-resident workers would be prevented.
The DSAT head said the majority of Council members support the scheme but that some raised concerns regarding road accidents.
“A similar scheme has already been conducted by a neighbouring city since 2004 with no big issues arising,” said Lam, adding that less than 1 per cent of accidents involved non-resident drivers in the city.
Meanwhile, Lam reported that the number of Macau citizens obtaining driving licences issued by the Mainland had increased by around 1,000 every year.
“In 2014, over 3,000 Macau residents took exams to obtain a Mainland driving licence; in 2015, there were over 4,000 and in 2016 the number reached 5,000,” revealed the DSAT Director. “For the first half of 2017, the number has already reached 3,000.”
By contrast, the number of Mainland drivers obtaining a driving licence in Macau is declining, he said.
Lam indicated that the scheme would have greatly benefit young people working within the Greater Bay Area.
When asked whether the different driving requirements between the two regions would pose a danger on the road, the DSAT head said driving tests on the Mainland are getting stricter, with more drivers penalised for violating the traffic law.
On the other hand, with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to be unveiled soon, Lam said shuttle drivers for the Bridge will take the test for a licence that will be recognised by the three regions, although licensed bus drivers cannot drive beyond the borders of them.
Regarding the traffic capacity of the city, Lam said traffic in the city has improved while citing that the number of vehicles on the road is experiencing negative growth.
He added that it is necessary to provide options for foreigners to travel around the city.

Plans for ‘Smart Transportation’
Yesterday’s meeting also discussed a trial for plans of ‘Smart Transportation’, with one relating a system that could calculate the volume available on buses and the other a provision of traffic data for drivers.
The first plan allows bus passengers as well as bus operators to check the available volume of buses for better time management and operation.
The other plan involves GPS information collected from some 900 public buses and almost 100 radio taxis to provide instant traffic conditions for drivers to avoid traffic. Lam disclosed that GPS details from casino shuttle buses would also be connected to the public system.
Meanwhile, the DSAT head divulged that a total of 682,000 bus passengers had been recorded on October 6 alone.
“We will roll out more plans to improve bus services to meet the high demand,” stated the director.

Water gates for T8 or above
Lam said yesterday’s meeting also discussed and came to a common consensus on installing and implementing water gates in public car parks located in low-lying areas.
Lam said that there are around 13 public car parks in these kinds of zones.
“We advised opening water gates at the entrance of car parks when Typhoon Signal 8 is hoisted after an hour, which means no vehicles can enter or exit those car parks,” said Lam.
He claimed that the revision of regulations relating to public car parks would be completed before the next typhoon season.