XN000022-1995-01-11 — Page 29

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Causes of fatal traffic accidents

Following is a question by the Hon Simon Ip Sik-on and a reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Deaths resulting from traffic accidents have risen in the past three years and several fatal accidents have occurred recently. Will the Administration inform this council:

(a)

what are the most common causes of fatal traffic accidents;

(b)

what measures will be taken to prohibit drunken driving;

(c)

what measures will be taken to prevent or reduce reckless and careless driving and to enforce good road discipline; and

(d)

whether young or newly qualified drivers will be subjected to a more rigorous system of testing?

Reply:

Mr President,

The number of fatal traffic accidents rose from 318 in 1992 to 336 in 1993, but in fact declined to 277 last year.

Based on investigations following fatal traffic accidents the Transport Department has established that the most common causes are:-

(a)

driving too fast for the road conditions;

(b)

losing control of the vehicle:

(c)

pedestrian negligence; and

(d)

defective vehicle brakes.