TRANSPORT
June, these testing centres also inspected all light goods vehicles over one year old and with a gross vehicle weight under 1.9 tonnes.
All public transport vehicles continued to be inspected annually, while the random daily spot checks of in-service franchised buses were increased.
Road Safety
Traffic accidents involving injury increased by one per cent in 1993. There were 15 420 accidents, of which 3 395 were serious and 333 fatal. This compares with 15 322 accidents in 1992, of which 3 438 were serious and 318 fatal. In-depth investigations were carried out at 149 traffic accident blackspots in order to identify accident causes. Remedial accident prevention measures were recommended at 130 of these locations. Similar measures, when implemented, have been shown to reduce accidents by 30 per cent on average.
Accident records are updated daily with the microcomputer-based traffic accident data system, installed in 1991. Accident statistics and map plots are retrieved, compiled and analysed for traffic accident blackspot analysis and road safety strategy formulation. (Accident statistics are at Appendix 39.)
As an aid to police enforcement, a red light camera pilot scheme was commenced in January to deter red light running at signal-controlled junctions. The experiment showed the equipment was effective and a plan is being drawn up to expand the system.
Road safety campaigns continued to play an important role in reducing traffic accidents. The major themes of the year's campaigns were pedestrian safety, targeted at young people and the elderly; and safety for drivers, targeted in particular at light goods vehicle, private car and motorcycle drivers. Posters, television announcements and leaflets were produced and widely distributed. A series of radio and television road safety programmes were broadcast. In anticipation of new legislation on the fitting and wearing of rear seatbelts in private cars, efforts have been made to educate the public on the subject. Two new short films, on seatbelt wearing and drink-driving, were produced and broadcast on television during the year.
At the year's end, the Road Safety Association of Hong Kong operated 224 school road safety patrols, while school staff patrols operated at 562 schools, with the objective of ensuring the safety of school children on their way to and from school. The Road Safety Council, an advisory body, continued to co-ordinate all road safety matters in the territory.
Public Transport
The Hong Kong public transport system is notable for its variety of modes and operators, its intensity of usage, and the absence of government subsidies. A network of rail, ferry, bus and other transport services extends to almost every part of the territory.
Railways
There are five rail systems, comprising a heavily-utilised mass transit system, a busy suburban railway, a modern light railway, a traditional street tramway and The Peak funicular railway. The first three rail systems are operated by public corporations, wholly owned by the government. The others are owned by private operators.
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