182
Licensing
TRANSPORT
Registration and licensing procedures for motor vehicles were further computerised when stage six of the Vehicle and Driver Licensing Integrated Data System (VALID) came into operation in March. The system provides instant computer processing of applications, printing of registration and licensing documents and traffic permits, checking of records, and random allocation of vehicle registration marks.
In March, legislative amendments exempting disabled people from paying fees for driving tests, and for provisional licences and full licences for drivers of private cars under 1 500 cc were introduced.
In August, a 13 000-square-metre site in Wong Chuk Hang adjacent to the Ocean Park in Aberdeen was temporarily allocated to the Transport Department as an off-street driver training centre. The school can cope with 40 learner-drivers hourly. A comprehensive revue of on and off-street driving instruction standards is in hand. The demand for driving licences remained high. During the year, the number-of licences held by Hong Kong residents totalled 736 369 compared with 676 014 the previous year.
Vehicle Examination
-
Despite the acute shortage of vehicle examiners and availability of only one multi-lane vehicle examination centre at Kowloon Bay and two small centres at To Kwa Wan and Soo Kun Po, the Transport Department has maintained its statutory examination commitments. All urban and New Territories taxis, hire cars, public light buses, private and public omnibuses, goods vehicles manufactured prior to 1972, and all dangerous goods vehicles are inspected on an annual basis. Collectively, a total of 69 000 vehicles were examined during the year compared with 70 000 in 1981. All franchised buses were examined at the bus companies' premises for both roadworthiness and fitness programmes. Vehicles involved in accidents were examined at the police vehicle detention pounds at Ho Man Tin in Kowloon, Moreton Terrace on Hong Kong Island and Kwai Shing Circuit in the New Territories. Vehicles and other equipment within the Hong Kong International Airport perimeter were inspected on site. In addition, pre-registration inspections were conducted on all goods vehicles and the first of each new model of private car and motor-cycle.
In February, the inspection of older private cars was introduced. Cars manufactured before 1971 must now pass an examination before re-licensing. The age level will pro- gressively be reduced.
Plans are being pursued for the construction of two fully-automated computerised vehicle inspection centres at Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long in the New Territories.
Better vehicle standards will improve road safety and reduce road congestion. They help to reduce the number of accidents caused through mechanical failure, to prevent breakdowns which could cause traffic congestion, and to minimise pollution caused through poorly-maintained engines.
Road Safety
Investigation to identify the causes of traffic accidents continued to be carried out by the Transport Department's Road Safety Division. Particular attention was given to accidents involving pedestrians. Accident black spots investigated during the year numbered 131 and 65 remedial measures were recommended. There were, nevertheless, 19 000 traffic accidents involving injury in 1982 - 8 000 serious and 450 fatal.
—
With traffic accidents continuing to take a heavy toll of human life and property, the promotion of road safety is of great importance. In collaboration with other government