ENG-1995 — Page 324

PUBLIC ORDER

and gave the police extra powers to identify persons driving under the influence of alcohol. Coupled with public awareness, this should help reduce the number of accidents associated with alcohol intoxication.

Vehicular traffic between Hong Kong and Shenzhen via the three crossing points at Man Kam To, Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok continued to rise during 1995. Lok Ma Chau, which began 24-hour operations in November 1994, was the busiest vehicular crossing point.

The proliferating cross-border traffic, and the additional amount of traffic that came as the Airport Core Project works gathered momentum, exerted yet greater pressure on the road infrastructure, which was already strained by the increased vehicle population. Serious congestion problems arose in many areas, notably, the tunnel approaches, Tuen Mun Road, and the container port area.

Besides the many measures proposed by the Transport Branch, the Police regions. had contingency plans and procedures to tackle traffic congestion in various areas. Better co-ordination in road works, positioning of patrol officers at strategic locations and increased enforcement action against illegal parking were other tactics adopted to forestall anticipated congestion. Enforcement action continued at a high level.

Having weighed all arguments for cross-harbour taxi stands, the Transport Branch introduced a six-month trial scheme from July 30. Two locations on either end of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel were designated cross-harbour taxi stands. A single toll charge of $10 was charged for a cross-harbour journey originating at these stands. The locations are being closely monitored by patrol officers to ensure there are no undue problems.

During 1995, there were 14 802 traffic accidents causing casualties, representing a decrease of 4.2 per cent against the previous year. The number of fixed penalty tickets issued decreased slightly compared with 1994. The police and traffic wardens issued 1.92 million tickets for parking offences during the year, representing a decrease of 7.4 per cent when compared with the 2.07 million tickets issued in 1994.

Marine Police

The accelerating pace of construction at Chek Lap Kok Airport and north-west Lantau, the partial opening of the River Trade Cargo Terminal in Tuen Mun, and the ongoing reclamation in Victoria Harbour contributed to a significant increase in sea traffic in the year, particularly in the harbour and western waters areas.

Sharks returned to Sai Kung waters in June 1995, resulting in three fatalities. Extensive shark-monitoring patrol operations were carried out throughout the summer in the territory's eastern waters.

Marine Islands District saw a considerable increase in workload as the PADS projects gained momentum. The outlying islands, particularly Lantau, continued to attract many visitors, with the Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery remaining the main attraction.

Smuggling activity involving speedboats, particularly dai feis and chung feis, continued to decrease during the year. In May 1995, the Small Boat Division was created, comprising the Anti-smuggling Task Force and the Small Boat Unit. The

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