FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1982
1981 TRAFFIC TOLL
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478 LIVES
A TOTAL OF 478 PEOPLE DIED ON THE ROADS IN 1981 WHICH WAS FOUR TIMES THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS OF MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER DURING THE YEAR.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY, NEW TERRITORIES, DR RICHARD BUTLER, DISCLOSED THIS FIGURE TODAY (FRIDAY) BEFORE HE PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A FOOTDRILL COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION FOR ITS NT PATROLS.
HE SAID THAT PEOPLE RIGHTLY GOT ALARMED AND ANGRY AT MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER IN THE COMMUNITY.
+BUT DO WE GET SUFFICIENTLY ALARMED AND ANGRY ABOUT THE MUCH MORE NUMEROUS KILLINGS ON OUR ROADS? I AM NOT SURE THAT WE DO, HE SAID.
WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWNS OVER THE YEARS AHEAD, DR BUTLER SAID THERE WOULD BE MORE ROADS, MORE TRAFFIC AND MORE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.
+THE NEW TOWNS THAT ARE BEING BUILT SERVE AS A PROUD TRIBUTE TO THE INDUSTRY, INGENUITY AND PURPOSEFULNESS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HE SAID,
+SHA TIN IS AN EXEMPLAR OF OUR NEW TOWNS AND I NEVER CEASE TO ADMIRE ITS FINE LAYOUT, ITS BROAD ROADS, ITS PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT.
+SHA TIN HAS CYCLE TRACKS WHEREBY TO PROTECT CYCLISTS AND MOTOR ISTS FROM EACH OTHER AND PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS WHICH ISOLATE PEDESTRIANS FROM MOTORISTS.
+BUT INEVITABLY PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS MUST COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND THEN THERE IS A DANGER OF CONFLICT.
+THAT IS WHERE THE GOOD ROAD SENSE WHICH THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS INCULCATE INTO THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR CARE COMES INTO OPERATION.
+ IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST DEATH ON OUR ROADS THE PATROLS HAVE LITERALLY A VITAL FUNCTION TO PERFORM.
DR BUTLER ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION'S + INCREDIBLE AND UNBROKEN RECORD OF PROTECTING YOUNG LIVES FROM THE DANGERS ON ROADS.
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