XN000022-1997-03-19 — Page 69

- 67 -

No plan to set up a highway patrol unit

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Last year, the authority concerned introduced measures to strengthen police patrol on Tuen Mun Highway in conjunction with the implementation of the bus-only lane scheme on the Highway. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

of the average monthly number of traffic accidents occurring on Tuen Mun Highway during the period when the above patrol measures were in force;

of the average monthly number of traffic accidents occurring on Tuen Mun Highway since the cessation of the above patrol measures;

whether, in comparing the answers to (a) and (b) above, the introduction of measures to strengthen police patrol will reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents; if so, whether similar patrol measures will be introduced on other expressways in the territory on a long term basis, so as to reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents; and

whether, in the long term, the Government will consider setting up a highway patrol unit in the Traffic Branch of the Police Force?

Reply:

Mr President,

The Transport Department has designated a bus-only lane on Tuen Mun Highway since 25 March 1995. To familiarise drivers with the new bus-only lane, the Police strengthened its patrol on Tuen Mun Highway for 4 months since March 1995. The increased patrol was not dedicated solely to the prevention of traffic accidents.