ENG-1980 — Page 179

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PUBLIC ORDER

A review of legislation relating to the holding of public meetings and processions was completed and resulted in the enactment of the Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance 1980. The amended ordinance gives a more precise definition of what constitutes a 'public meeting'; it replaces the licensing requirement for public meetings by a simpler system of notification; and exempts small meetings and processions, and some public meetings held in private premises, from needing any form of prior authorisation. The aim of the initial review was to liberalise the law as much as possible, bearing in mind the special considera- tions which apply in Hong Kong's crowded environment. Underlying the amending legisla- tion was a desire to facilitate the expression of views in public and so provide easier channels of communications on matters of public interest, while at the same time ensuring that a satisfactory state of public order will still be maintained.

Traffic

Traffic accidents - which showed a welcome levelling-off in 1979 – totalled 16,304 in 1980, and resulted in 404 people being killed on the roads and 20,559 others being injured. This was a 7.5 per cent increase over the number of accidents recorded the previous year. In an effort to reduce the accident toll, the Road Safety Division soon to be established within the Public Works Department will be intensifying its research into the underlying causes of Hong Kong's traffic accidents.

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The opening of the Mass Transit Railway had a noticeable effect on traffic patterns: its transportation of about half a million people daily, together with the reinstatement of numerous diversions and roadworks involved in its construction, resulted in improved traffic conditions in certain areas. Meanwhile, work progressed on the MTR's Tsuen Wan extension which is expected to open in mid-1982. In December, the government decided to proceed with the construction of a further MTR system along the northern coast of Hong Kong Island, and planning went ahead on traffic management in connection with the project.

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The penalties for parking contraventions under the Fixed Penalty (Traffic Contraven- tions) Ordinance were increased from $30 to $70 and fixed penalties for 'moving' traffic offences under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance were doubled to $100 and $200.

Two major road safety publicity campaigns were mounted by the government. One was aimed at educating pedestrians in correct road use while the second urged motorists to drive safely and ensure their vehicles undergo regular maintenance checks. The campaigns were directed at the two main current causes of traffic accidents - pedestrian negligence and drivers travelling too fast for prevailing road conditions. Both campaigns received active support from a number of organisations and reached people from all walks of life.

Assistance to the Public

The police force comes into contact with members of the public more often than any other government department or organisation. Concerted efforts in encouraging the public to approach the police for help yielded positive results during 1980 and a total of 415,963 reports were received on the '999' telephone system, at police stations, neighbourhood police units, reporting centres, and by patrolling police officers. This represented an in- crease of 84,215 over last year's total of 331,748.

A most encouraging feature was that, of the total number of reports received, 290,994 (or 70 per cent) were not related to crime, compared with 237,259 (72 per cent) last year. These reports were mainly for general assistance in such areas as domestic disputes, tenancy