5.
Road safety a great concern to all
A diverse range of counter-measures taken by the Government to tackle traffic accidents has produced some measure of success, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Rafael Hui, said today (Sunday).
Speaking at the Yau Tsim Mong Traffic Safety Carnival held today, Mr Hui said traffic fatalities dropped by more than 15 per cent in 1994 compared with 1993. However, traffic accident casualties are still unacceptably high,
He said the measures taken included 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. All these measures helped to reduce the accident toll.
"Road safety is a matter of great concern to us all. In 1994, there were almost 21,000 casualties in road accidents in Hong Kong. Almost 300 people were killed, nearly one death each day on our roads," Mr Hui said.
"The programme to reduce traffic accidents and injuries is on-going. Already in 1995 the Government has placed 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," he added,
Studies of accident statistics have shown that inexperienced drivers, particularly motorcyclists, are more prone to accidents than other drivers.
In 1994, there were 2,908 accidents involving inexperienced drivers, of which 939 involved motorcyclists.
The Road Safety Research Committee of the Road Safety Council is now looking into the concept of a driver probationary scheme to see if it is appropriate for Hong Kong.
The Police have also introduced the Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy, under which they specifically target their enforcement activities at accident black spots, and at those traffic offences which are 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 which help in enhancing road safety awareness are to be commended," Mr Hui said.
End/Sunday, March 19, 1995