FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1981
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THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE BILL ARE TO PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO USE GOVERNMENT ROAD TUNNELS, TO FACILITATE THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF SUCH TUNNELS AND TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION IN THE EVENT OF INFRINGEMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR WHICH IS A FINE OF $5 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
A NEW PROVISION EMPOWERS AUTHORISED OFFICERS TO SEARCH AND, IF NECESSARY, DETAIN THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE OR THE VEHICLE ITSELF UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY CAN BE DELIVERED INTO THE CUSTODY OF THE POLICE. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS AUTHORITY WOULD NORMALLY ONLY BE EXERCISED IN RESPONSE TO SPECIFIC REQUEST BY THE POLICE.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 24 AND SUBJECT TO ITS PASSAGE, REGULATIONS WILL BE DRAWN UP RELATING TO THE CONTROL OF THE USE OF THE TUNNELS AND TO THE FIXING OF TOLLS.
NT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INCREASE
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THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 1 508 ACCIDENTS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF NINE PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 3 579 ACCIDENTS, AN INCREASE OF NINE PER CENT OVER 1979.
EVEN MORE APPALLING WAS THE DEATH TOLL FROM ROAD ACCIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE FIGURE OF 162 PERSONS KILLED ON NEW TERRITORIES ROADS IN 1980 WAS HIGHER THAN THE HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON FIGURES.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS WERE DISCLOSED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY
MR R.C. SMALLSHAW, CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE POLICE TRAFF IC HEADQUARTERS, AT A CEREMONY TO PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPOINTMENT TO SENIOR PATROL OFFICIALS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.
MR SMALLSHAW ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSES OF THESE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENTS TO TWO MAIN FACTORS: DRIVING TOO FAST FOR THE CONDITIONS AND PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE.
HE SAID, THESE CAN EASILY BE CORRECTED IF ONLY PEOPLE WOULD TAKE MORE CARE WHEN USING THE ROADS.+
HE APPEALED TO ALL ROAD USERS TO OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS AND TO HAVE MORE REGARD FOR THE RULES OF THE ROAD.
/TO BRING