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"Stringent testing of vehicles and drivers, compulsory wearing of seat belts, education programmes, publicity, Road Safety patrols, traffic management measures and efficient enforcement by the Police have all helped to reduce the accident toll," Mr Hui said.
The programme to reduce road accidents and injuries is ongoing.
"In 1995, the Government plans to place comprehensive proposals before the Legislative Council on drink driving. We also plan to extend compulsory seat belt wearing to rear-seat passengers in private cars," Mr Hui said.
He noted that the Police had also introduced the Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy, under which they specifically targeted their enforcement activities at accident blackspots, and at those traffic offences that were known to be major contributory causes of accidents.
"One of the greatest weapons in the fight for safer roads is undoubtedly to be found in increasing public awareness of the dangers which we face on the roads. All projects that help in enhancing road safety awareness are to be recommended," Mr Hui said.
He said the drawing and logo-writing competition was intentionally aimed at young people under 35 years of age - the group which made up over 60 per cent of all traffic accident casualties.
School children in the five to 15 age group are the most at-risk group as pedestrians, whilst the 20 to 35-year-olds are the most at-risk group overall. Raising road safety awareness among these young people is a matter of vital importance.
The other aims of the competition are to arouse the interest and talents of these young people in drawing and logo writing, and to foster an understanding and appreciation of road safety matters.
"These objectives have been achieved admirably. Over 2,000 very high quality competition entries have been received. All those who entered are to be congratulated for their efforts," Mr Hui said.
End/Saturday, January 7, 1995