Hong Kong’s decision to waive the RMB 150 toll for small vehicles crossing the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) from 1 to 5 May—a gesture aimed at encouraging holiday traffic—took a tragic turn in the early hours of 4 May. A private car travelling from Zhuhai lost control inside the Hong Kong boundary-crossing plaza and slammed into inspection booth 10 before overturning. A husband-and-wife couple, both in their sixties, were trapped in the wreckage. The female passenger succumbed to her injuries at Princess Margaret Hospital, while the driver remains in stable condition. Police ruled out drink-driving and are investigating mechanical failure or driver fatigue.
The incident put a spotlight on the surge in private-car crossings during the toll-free period, which authorities estimate at up to 25,000 vehicles per day—five times the normal weekday volume. Emergency-services unions have since urged the Transport Department to deploy additional crash-tenders and paramedics on both bridge approaches whenever toll waivers are offered.
![Toll-free holiday window on Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge marred by fatal car accident at Hong Kong checkpoint]()
Travelers making last-minute plans to cross the HZMB this week should also double-check that passports and entry permits are valid; VisaHQ’s Hong Kong page (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can expedite visa and travel-document processing for visitors heading to mainland China, Macao or beyond, helping drivers and passengers avoid paperwork snags while officials focus on keeping traffic moving safely.
For mobility and fleet managers the message is twofold: while fee holidays lower costs for inter-port deliveries and VIP travel, they also heighten congestion and accident risk. Companies sending drivers across the span this week were advised to schedule crossings outside midnight-to-6 a.m. fatigue windows and to brief staff on revised traffic diversions in the checkpoint plaza.
The toll-free window remains in effect until 23:59 on 5 May. Officials have not indicated whether the fatality will affect plans for similar discounts during October’s National-Day Golden Week.
The incident put a spotlight on the surge in private-car crossings during the toll-free period, which authorities estimate at up to 25,000 vehicles per day—five times the normal weekday volume. Emergency-services unions have since urged the Transport Department to deploy additional crash-tenders and paramedics on both bridge approaches whenever toll waivers are offered.
Travelers making last-minute plans to cross the HZMB this week should also double-check that passports and entry permits are valid; VisaHQ’s Hong Kong page (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can expedite visa and travel-document processing for visitors heading to mainland China, Macao or beyond, helping drivers and passengers avoid paperwork snags while officials focus on keeping traffic moving safely.
For mobility and fleet managers the message is twofold: while fee holidays lower costs for inter-port deliveries and VIP travel, they also heighten congestion and accident risk. Companies sending drivers across the span this week were advised to schedule crossings outside midnight-to-6 a.m. fatigue windows and to brief staff on revised traffic diversions in the checkpoint plaza.
The toll-free window remains in effect until 23:59 on 5 May. Officials have not indicated whether the fatality will affect plans for similar discounts during October’s National-Day Golden Week.
