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Licensing
TRANSPORT
The decline in the total number of licensed private cars levelled out in 1985. The total number of new private cars registered rose from 6 569 in 1984 to 11 200. The number of new learner drivers remained at about 4 000 per month. Under the Driving-Offence Points System implemented in August 1984, 31 driving licence holders were disqualified after accruing 15 or more points as a result of committing offences scheduled under the Road Traffic (Driving-Offence Points) Ordinance.
Goods Vehicles
The total number of registered goods vehicles increased from 72 060 in December 1984 to 77 000 at the end of 1985. Many more goods vehicles are involved in the movement of goods between Hong Kong and China; these vehicles are required to be registered both in Hong Kong and in China.
Many of the recommendations made in a consultant's report on the study of the trucking industry conducted in 1984 have been accepted in principle by the government. Priority is to be given to recommendations designed to reduce the shortage of parking for goods vehicles and to improve the operation of loading and unloading. These are being considered and implemented at a local level.
Vehicle Examination
The Transport Department operates four vehicle examination centres at Kowloon Bay, To Kwa Wan, Sheung Kwai Chung and So Kun Po, providing facilities for the annual inspection before relicensing of all public service vehicles, older goods vehicles and vehicles licensed-to carry dangerous goods. Vehicles involved in accidents are examined at police pounds at Ho Man Tin, Kwai Shing Circuit and Hung Hing Road. Airport vehicles are inspected at the airport while franchised buses are inspected at the company depots.
Following the recommendations of the Working Group of the Transport Advisory Committee on CMB Maintenance, the inspection of buses operated by the China Motor Bus Company was intensified and an enforcement unit was set up to undertake prosecution action against the franchised bus companies for operating defective buses. Technical support was also extended to the police with respect to road checks and accident investigation on all vehicles.
A proposal to allow private garages to carry out annual inspections of private cars over six years old was approved by the Executive and Legislative Councils. Under the scheme, private garages are to be designated as car testing centres and authorised to conduct inspections and issue certificates of roadworthiness, subject to requirements set out in a code of practice and the Road Traffic Ordinance.
Road Safety
Traffic accidents involving injury decreased by 1.13 per cent in 1985. During the year, there were 14 930 accidents, of which 4 390 were serious and 280 fatal. This compares with 15 100 in the previous year (4 650 serious, 290 fatal). Investigations to identify the factors contributing to traffic accidents were carried out by the Transport Department at 88 locations and engineering remedial measures were recommended at 56 of these locations.
Road safety campaigns continued to play an important role in the reduction of traffic accidents. The major themes of the 1985 campaigns were the consequences of driver and pedestrian negligence, the need for regular vehicle maintenance and cycling safety. Road safety features significantly in the new road traffic legislation. The fitting of reflective