TRAFFIC BRANCH
Hong Kong's vehicle population, which had declined during the previous three years, increased abruptly through- out 1977 and again topped the 200,000 mark. A new prosperity brought with it an upsurge in private car ownership and substantial numbers of heavy lorries for numerous major construction projects.
With more than 174.4 vehicles for every kilometer of road, Hong Kong has one of the highest traffic densities in the world. It was not surprising, therefore, that there was a noticeable worsening of congestion at peak hours and in specific areas at other times as well. This was particularly so during school terms as many schools are either not easily accessible to, or not well served by public transport.
Conditions were not improved by the taking up of road space by many construction works, principally the Mass Transit Railway. Also, in many places pavements are at times crowded to overcapacity, and pedestrians are forced to step on to the road because of obstructions, trench works and hawkers and their wares.
Improvements to the road system, and also the construc- tion of new roads, helped to ease conditions. A number of major traffic management schemes, including new flyovers, are due for completion in 1978. Even so, there would appear to be a need for restraint in the use of private cars and light goods vehicles if the flow of traffic is not to be slowed to an unacceptable extent. The use of public transport by private motorists whenever possible, or the sharing of vehicles, in being encouraged.
The need to consider and to plan the long term require- ments of public transport has been recognised, and Govern- ment has prepared a white paper outlining its policies for the years ahead. There is already a commitment to a series of multi-lane high-speed roads, which together with existing tunnels and those under construction, will comprise an integrated network of expressways. The first of the expressways which will link Tsuen Wan with Tuen Mun in the New Territories will open in mid-1978.
In the most congested part of West Kowloon an ex- perimental system of computer-controlled traffic lights has been installed successfully. By being able to adjust light timings automatically to varying patterns of traffic flow it has been possible to make the optimum use of available road space, and, to increase traffic speed. A feature of the system is that emergency services operating in the area can rely on a constant green light along certain routes.
It became necessary to combat the increasing air pollution from traffic and legislation to control the emission of fumes from vehicle exhausts, by testing samples in roadside smoke meters, was introduced.
Accidents
The number of vehicles on the roads has naturally had a direct relationship with the number of traffic accidents. It was not surprising, therefore, that the continuing growth in vehicles, aggravated by deteriorating road conditions, resulted in the highest toll of traffic accidents yet recorded.
1976
1977
Fatal accidents
347
380
Variation
9.5 per cent
Serious injury
4,802
6,051
26 per cent
7,196
11,406
58.5 per cent
12,345
17,837
44.4 per cent
Minor injury
The main causes of traffic accidents continued to be speed related to road conditions, and pedestrian care- lessness. Frequently, there was a combination of the two. Almost one half of the casualties were pedestrians, neg- ligence on their part being responsible for a significant proportion of the accidents in which they were involved.
In proportion to their numbers motor-cyclists were involved in far more than their fair share of accidents. This was not unexpected in the absence of any off-street areas for learners to practise the handling of their machines. The number of bicyclists injured was also a matter for concern. Youthful exuberance often fails to appreciate the need to exercise the greatest of care when on the roads, and many youngsters are quite incapable of controlling their bicycles. There is, therefore, a need for more areas reserved for bicycles only.
Road Safety
The increasing numbers of accidents and casualties made road safety education, particularly of young children, a matter of prime importance. Regular visits to schools by road safety teams are an important feature of this education. An innovation was the mobile road safety exhibition, a converted double-decker bus operated by police on behalf of the Road Safety Association. With its colourful displays, photographs and electronic quiz machines it was successful in arousing interest in road safety.
Another new road safety feature was an accident reduc- tion programme for accident 'black spots'. Police accident prevention teams took two of the worst locations and, with the help of residents' associations and the distribution of leaflets, made those living in these areas aware of their responsibilities when using the roads.
This was followed by advisory action and warnings on the ground, and finally, the prosecution of the very few persons who ignored elementary road safety procedures. These two exercises were very successful in bringing about self-restraint by both motorists and pedestrians and resulted in a dramatic decline in the accident rates. Sadly, this improvement did not prove to be permanent.
Throughout the year publicity was given to road safety by television announcements and short feature items, exhibitions and displays organised by the Road Safety Association. This Association is also responsible for the School Crossing Patrols which consist of student volunteers who control pedestrian crossings in the vicinity of their schools. The patrols have been of great help in enabling children to get to and from their schools safely, and over the years have saved many youngsters from death or injury.
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