Ten drivers and motorcyclists have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving following the police's deployment of drones for the first time in a crackdown in areas near Kwun Tong Bypass.

The nine men and one woman arrested in the operation, in which the force used drones for aerial patrols and evidence collection, are aged between 25 and 51.

Officers also seized seven vehicles and three motorcycles during their operation conducted between August 3 and 10.

Pun Chun-ho, senior inspector in the traffic department of Kowloon East, said some of those arrested had been "speeding recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic with extreme speed" on the bypass, which is a major highway.

He said drones have further strengthened the police's enforcement capabilities.

"We have made use of the drones' unique advantages, such as their flexibility, long range and wide coverage, to conduct high-altitude observations and command possibilities from the air," Pun said.

"We've also dispatched stealth vehicles that were pre-deployed at strategic locations at the appropriate time and in a safe manner to follow the target vehicles and collect evidence and carry out law enforcement.

"At the same time, the illegal activities captured by the drones would be part of evidence, thus enhancing our evidence-gathering capability."

Pun also said the deployment of drones had helped the force save on manpower by not having to deploy a significant number of personnel, which is in line with its smart-policing strategy.

Under the law, the maximum penalty for dangerous driving and speeding is three years’ imprisonment and a driving-licence suspension.


Edited by Aaron Tam