Police-1963-1964 — Page 48

195. One of the main concerns of the Committee is to ensure that the interests of all sections of the community are taken into account in formulating traffic policy and the subjects considered during the year have ranged from the sign-posting of pedestrian sub-ways to the re- planning of arterial traffic flow in Kowloon.

ROAD SAFETY MEASURES

196. In April, 1963, a Police Inspector was appointed full-time Road Safety Officer in Traffic Branch. His duties are mainly directed to organizing demonstrations and lectures and co-ordinating the efforts. of several civic organizations which are developing an increasingly active interest in the promotion of road safety.

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197. Traffic Branch officers have made 344 visits to schools and have lectured to 184,285 children on road safety. 104 visits were also paid to Kaifong Associations, Recreation Clubs and Adult Education Centres where the total annual attendance amounted to some 7,000.

198. Road Safety Projects sponsored or assisted by civic organizations included a Pedal Cyclists' Proficiency Contest, a concentrated accident prevention campaign at traffic black-spots and the training of senior students to take charge of younger children on roads and crossings in the vicinity of their schools. Plans for safe access-routes for school- children going to and leaving their schools have also been started.

199. In view of the high proportion of traffic accidents caused by 'jay-walking' in the built-up areas, a campaign was launched early in the year to encourage driving on dipped headlights so that pedestrians and on-coming vehicles would have better visual warning of a vehicle's approach. This campaign was well supported by motorists and a com- parison of the six-month periods before and after the campaign showed reductions in all classes of accidents occurring at night.

ADMINISTRATION

200. The transfer of vehicle records from dossiers to punch-cards was almost completed by the end of the year, and more comprehensive and speedy analyses of vehicle data will be possible in the near future.

201. Automatic cash registers were taken into use in the Vehicle Licensing Office and have resulted in the more rapid and efficient proces- sing of vehicle registrations and licence renewals.

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