196
LAW, ORDER AND RECORDS
mind the high annual rate of increase in new vehicles, the expense of constructing car parks and the shortage of land, particularly in the central districts where parking facilities are most needed, the problem will remain for many years.
The Police have to see that obstructions are reduced as far as possible in order to prevent accidents and to keep traffic flowing, a task which more than any other has impaired relations with the public. The congestion in Hong Kong, both vehicular and pedes- trian, aggravates the problem and there can be little doubt of the need for Police action against indiscriminate and inconsiderate parking.
Very many of the population are comparative newcomers to city life. It is not surprising that ignorance and a general lack of road sense, particularly on the part of pedestrians and cyclists, are often the primary cause of accidents. Road safety education is, therefore, important in Hong Kong and during the year there was a con- tinuous programme which included a Traffic Exhibition, attended by some 200,000 people, lectures to schools and radio broadcasts and quiz programmes for children on road safety. The very close co-operation and assistance given by the Kaifong Associations was particularly helpful.
Comparative figures for the past six years for accidents, licensed vehicles, drivers and driving tests are contained in Appendix IX. Immigration. The control and operation of the Immigration Department is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police. The total recorded movement in and out of the Colony during the year was 2,479,019, an increase of 254,516 over the 1959 figure. The tourist trade played a large part in this increase. Air passenger traffic has increased by almost 100% since 1956, reaching the record figure of 371,968 for the year. The majority of tourists come from the United States of America and immigration requirements have now been relaxed so that visas are valid for one year and within that period may be used for any number of visits to the Colony. Comparative figures for the past five years of movement in and out of the Colony and the issue of visas, passports, certifi- cates of identity and re-entry permits may be seen at Appendix IX.
Visits. A number of Hong Kong Police Officers visited Police Forces in the United Kingdom, Japan and Thailand during the