ENG-2006 — Page 309

Transport 257

From September 2002 to December 2006, nearly 9 000 drivers attended the driving improvement course. The feedback from the course participants was encouraging and positive. They found the course very useful in improving their driving behaviour and attitude. About 77 per cent of the participants did not incur new driving-offence points within six months of the completion of the course.

Vehicle Examination

Vehicles are examined to ensure they are roadworthy and properly maintained. Compulsory annual inspection applies to all public service vehicles, goods vehicles and trailers. In 2006, 194 000 vehicles were examined at the four government vehicle examination centres. Private cars over six years old and light goods vehicles not exceeding 1.9 tonnes are inspected annually at 22 designated car testing centres run by the private sector. These centres conducted 200 000 vehicle examinations during the year. In addition, 3 500 spot checks were conducted on franchised buses to confirm their safety, roadworthiness and service standards.

A chassis dynamometer has been installed in the Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre to carry out random checks on smoke emissions from diesel vehicles.

All vehicles imported into Hong Kong may be examined to make sure they meet statutory requirements before they can be registered and licensed. In 2006, of 619 vehicle types approved, 567 went through a simplified procedure that involved examining sample vehicles of the same model.

Electronic payment facilities are now available at all vehicle examination centres, providing additional convenience for users. Vehicle Appointment Status Display Systems have been installed at the New Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre in Kowloon Bay and at the To Kwa Wan Vehicle Examination Centre enabling people to see which days and times are available for them to book appointments. This can also be done through the Internet.

Application of Technology

Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are installed to enable traffic conditions at critical locations to be monitored so that action may be taken to ease traffic congestion where required. At present, there are 168 cameras installed in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tai Po and North District. In mid-2006 the Transport Department upgraded its Hong Kong Island CCTV system by replacing it with a digital CCTV system, the first in Hong Kong. The new system improves monitoring and reduces operating cost over the long term. There are now also 85 cameras operating on major highways such as Tuen Mun Road, West Kowloon Highway, North Lantau Highway, San Tin Highway, Yuen Long Highway, Tolo Highway, Fanling Highway and roads leading to the boundary crossings.

The CCTV systems' coverage will be extended further to cover Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. The project is expected to be completed in October 2008.