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142. The opening of the Lion Rock Tunnel on the 14th November, 1967, was the most important road improvement of the year. It has provided the public with a new and popular route to the New Territories, the full value of which will not be apparent until the envisaged development at Sha Tin has taken place.
ROAD SAFETY MEASURES
143. The School Safety Patrol Scheme was expanded to a total of 2,000 members from some 42 schools. School Safety Patrol Officers visited various Police formations during the year. These visits, which enabled students to obtain a first-hand impression of the work carried out by the Police, proved to be very popular and helped to establish a link between the Force and the future citizens of the Colony.
144. Traffic Officers of the Road Safety Section gave lectures, film shows, and demonstrations to schools, youth groups and other organiza- tions.
145. A plan to build a ‘Safety Town' was adopted. This involves the construction of a miniature town which will be a permanent feature in a children's public park, and its aim is to teach road safety and dis- cipline to children. The project is expected to be completed during 1968.
ROAD ACCIDENTS
146. During the year 302 were killed and 9,909 injured in road accidents as compared with 264 and 8,922 in the previous year. Comparative accident statistics for the past five years are as follows:
1965-66 1966-67 1967-68
1963-64
1964-65
Fatal Accidents
260
284
260
264
302
Involving serious injuries
2,295
2,609
2,633
3,197
3,669
Involving slight injuries
6,426
6,439
5,829
5.725
6,240
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
147. A total of 160,316 cases were taken to court during the year. Comparative statistics for the past five years are shown in Appendix
17.
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