Dave Taylor, world famous trick motorcycle rider from Britain, uses an unusual method of getting across the road safety message to school children.
Prosecutions
During the year a total of 113,190 prosecutions were instituted, plus 9,702 fixed penalty moving offences tickets issued, with emphasis being placed on enforcement of the law in respect of the monerious traffic offences likely to endanger life and safety on the road. Following vociferous public criticism of taxi drivers who either refused to allow intending passengers to board their cabs, or who declined to drive them to their declared destination, it became necessary to take strict enforcement action. These measures resulted in an improvement in their behaviour.
This was the first complete year of operation for the fixed penalty system, by which police issued on-the-spot tickets to motorists who contravened the road traffic law.
The system has two advantages. Motorists are made immediately aware of offences which they are alleged to have committed and which they can deny in the usual way through the courts if they so wish - and can pay the fixed penalty in a convenient manner. Secondly, the police and the courts have been relieved of a considerable adminis- trative burden imposed by the summons processing system which is retained for certain offences that cannot be dealt with by fixed penalty.
Against a background of increasing roadworks, obstruc- tions and congestion, enforcement action against illegally parked vehicles was restricted to those which either caused serious obstructions to traffic flow or posed a danger to other road users and pedestrians. Even so it was necessary to issue no fewer than 566,759 fixed penalty parking tickets.
Planning and Management
The Traffic Management Section maintains close liaison with professional officers in the Public Works Department and Transport Department dealing with the provision of road facilities and transport. They are consulted in all major projects with a view to ensuring that they are easily controlled, clearly and legally sign posted and present as few problems as possible to the average motorist.
The section also monitors road accident statistics from computer records, and puts suggestions to the relevant authorities as to improvements that are considered neces- sary. It has, over the years, built up such a reputation that its views are solicited and listened to with respect.
Over the past year a great deal of time and effort has been spent in the planning and monitoring of the Mass Transit Railway works and other major projects in an effort to minimize the difficulties that, of necessity, arose.
33
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.