ENG-2000 — Page 307

TRANSPORT

Others include extending the fitting and wearing requirements of seat belts to rear seats of taxis from January 1, 2001, revising the penalties for serious speeding offences also from January 1, 2001 and requiring all goods vehicles to be fitted with an automatic device capable of giving audible and sufficient warning when they are reversing or about to reverse from April 1, 2000.

With effect from October 1, a 'probationary driving licence' system has been introduced for newly qualified motorcyclists. Holders of a probationary driving licence are required by law to undergo a mandatory 12-month probation period before they could obtain a full driving licence.

Road safety campaigns continued to play an important role in reducing traffic accidents. The main theme chosen for campaigns in 2000 was 'Courtesy on the Road'. The messages were conveyed through television and radio announcements, advertisement on vehicle bodies, printed materials and on the Internet.

Transport and Environment

In planning for transport infrastructure projects, the Government is guided by sustainable development principles. It strives to ensure a better integration of transport provisions with land use planning with a view to reducing trip generation. Less reliance on road-based transport will in turn alleviate the demands put on transport systems and lessen the impact on the environment. At the same time, greater emphasis will be placed on the needs of pedestrians. Separation of pedestrians from vehicular traffic will help reduce the impact of vehicle emissions and noise pollution on pedestrians. The environmental impact of new transport projects during both the construction and operation phases is also carefully examined at the planning stage. Environmental mitigation measures, such as landscaping, artificial contouring of surrounding hillsides, depressed road, laying of noise-reducing road surfacing and the installation of noise barriers and noise insulation works are implemented where necessary to minimise the environmental impact of transport projects.

To improve the environment for pedestrians, more pedestrian walkway systems would be planned and implemented. Pedestrian walkway systems can help to minimise conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and provide a better environment for pedestrians. The priority areas being studied are Central, Wan Chai and Tsuen Wan. Separately, pedestrian schemes involving the permanent or temporary closure of all or part of existing streets for the priority or exclusive use of pedestrians have been examined and implemented in some urban areas. The main objective is to provide pedestrians with a safer, healthier and more comfortable street environment by giving more priority to pedestrians over vehicles. Opportunity is also taken to improve street appearance.

In early 2000, a study on pedestrianisation in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok was completed. Some of the streets in these areas have been turned into full-time or part-time pedestrianised streets, or traffic calming streets, by means of measures to reduce vehicle speed. They include sections of Russell Street and Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay, Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mong Kok. In addition, Stanley Main Street in Stanley was designated as a pedestrianised street from 11 am to 6 pm during Sundays and public holidays. A study on possible pedestrianisation schemes in Central, Wan Chai, Jordan and Sham Shui Po was commissioned in mid-2000 and is due for completion in early 2001.

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