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congestion is the task of the Traffic Branch. Widespread building development and associated road works add to the difficulty created by sheer density of traffic. Highways must also be kept clear of obstruction by hawkers, shopkeepers and building contractors, and the prevention of jay-walking is a constant task. (Traffic statistics are given in Appendix XXXVI.)
In order to maintain reasonable driving standards it has been necessary to resort to more prosecutions of offending drivers, as warnings issued to correct minor faults have not had the desired effect. A total of 119,005 offences were reported for prosecution in 1965, compared with 110,172 in 1964.
With growing congestion, the real meaning of the traffic problem is being brought home to the people of Hong Kong in a more personal way. As in many other parts of the world, traffic is no longer able to move as freely as formerly and parking has become more difficult. To provide some measure of control, and to meet the demand for kerb-side parking, additional parking meters were installed during the year, bringing the total of metered parking spaces to 5,943.
A total of 550 taxi licences were put out to public tender for the first time, and realized $21 million.
The demand for driving tests continued to rise and in spite of an increase in testing staff it was not possible to reduce the waiting period by any appreciable amount. At the end of the year the government approved proposals to create a Commissioner for Trans- port who will take over from the Commissioner of Police his statu- tory responsibilities for vehicle licence driving tests, road-worthiness examinations and similar non-police functions (see chapter 13).
MANPOWER AND TRAINING
The strength of the regular police force at the end of the year (excluding women police) was: 118 gazetted officers; 781 junior officers; 8,705 non-commissioned officers and constables. There were 412 women police of all ranks. They work with the Uniformed Branch divisions in all three districts and are attached to all other specialist branches of the force.
Probationary inspectors are recruited both locally and in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. Constables are
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