generally to candidates for public vehicles licences, virtually eliminating the waiting period for this category of test.
147. Other driving tests continued throughout the year with varying results. The waiting list, however, remained constantly at 37,000 includ- ing 28,800 for private cars, 3,000 for motorcycles, 3,000 for goods vehicles whilst the remaining 2,200 waited for other types of driving tests.
148. Towards the latter half of the year the team of 12 driving test examiners was reinforced by an additional 5, whilst a further 10 supple- mentary posts have been approved and were being processed at the end of the year. These increases in strength should make possible a consider- able reduction in the waiting period.
149. During the year a total of 30,688 final driving tests were con- ducted with a pass percentage of 56%. New driving licences issued during the same period including those issued direct without test, totalled 18,476, bringing the total number of driving licences issued since 1946 to 182,290. Further details regarding the licensing of drivers is contained in Appendix 16.
150. 25,528 motor vehicles were inspected during the period under review. Compulsory official weighing was introduced during the year for all new goods vehicles on first registration. Dual purpose and goods vehicles under two tons were also compulsorily re-weighed prior to renewal of licences. For the first time, all new omnibuses, goods and dual purpose vehicles, and the first model of all private cars and motor cycles to be introduced into the Colony were checked to ensure com- pliance with the Road Traffic (Construction and Use) Regulations 1956.
151. One additional Motor Vehicle Inspector arrived towards the end of the year and was posted to the New Territories for full time inspec- tion duties. Recruitment to the grade was generally difficult and three posts remained vacant at the end of the year.
ROAD ACCIDENTS
152. The year's total of road accidents involving personal injury was 8,722, a decrease of 610 compared with the preceding year. There were, however, slight increases in the number of accidents involving serious injury.
153. Comparative accident statistics for the past five years are as follows:
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