JAKARTA - Hong Kong authorities moved quickly to respond to the viral video of a mainland Chinese driver who dared to use the automatic cruise feature while driving in the area. The driver is now threatened with serious sanctions, including suspension of driving eligibility.
Hong Kong's Transport Department said it had issued a warning letter to the driver concerned and reported the case to authorities in Guangdong. A formal investigation is underway to assess potential violations of traffic laws.
This case came to light after a video went viral on social media such as RedNote and Facebook. In the footage, the driver is seen driving an XPeng P7 electric sedan on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, while releasing his hands from the steering wheel.
The car is said to be controlled by the Navigation Guided Pilot feature, XPeng's advanced driving assistance system. As reported by the South China Morning Post, Wednesday, December 31.
In response to the incident, the Department of Transport confirmed that automatic assistance or driving systems that have not received official approval are prohibited from being used on Hong Kong highways. The reason is that the system processes information on signs, markings, and traffic rules that are different from mainland China.
"Hong Kong traffic regulations are not the same as those in mainland China. The use of an automatic driving system without approval may trigger a violation of the law," the department said in a statement.
Authorities also warned that drivers who activate the control assistance system without permission could face fines of up to prison sentences if found guilty. In this case, the perpetrator's driving license can even be suspended.
The Hong Kong government also reminded drivers entering urban areas to comply with all local rules. This includes a ban on the use of autonomous driving features, or autopilot.
For information, the scheme that allows vehicles from Guangdong to enter directly into Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge only started earlier this week, with a maximum quota of 100 vehicles per day. The viral incident was an early warning for authorities that strict surveillance would be imposed from the first day of implementation.
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