Day and night, the Hong Kong Police Force works hard to enhance safety on our roads. It does this by proactively managing traffic when necessary, putting measures in place to catch careless or inconsiderate drivers, and also by monitoring the behaviour of cyclists and pedestrians. These tireless – and often thankless – efforts all help reduce the numbers of accidents and fatalities on our roads.
In 2006, we were pleased to see a year-on-year decrease in the total number of traffic accidents, which fell 1.4% to 14,849. The number of casualties reported in 2006 also fell to 18,873, a 1.8% decrease compared to 2005. This reduction of casualties can be attributed to an excellent 7.5% decrease in the number of accidents resulting in serious injury. Other very welcome statistics in 2006 include a 2.9% decline in the number of fatal accidents (down to 135 incidents) and a 4.6% drop in the number of fatalities (from 151 in 2005 to 144 in 2006). These are the lowest figures in 49 years.
The Government is committed to a process of continual legislative review and regularly introduces new measures to enhance the safety of all road users.
New Legislation
In an effort to combat careless and dangerous driving habits, the fixed penalty for jumping a traffic light was increased to $600 in January 2006 and the number of Driving Offence Points increased to five.
To further enhance the safety of our roads, fixed penalty tickets are now applied to anyone caught using a mobile telephone or other telecommunications equipment while driving. Likewise, drivers failing to drive in the nearside lane of an expressway, and motorcycles or motor tricycles driving without the obligatory lit head lamps, are also eligible for fixed penalty tickets.
Since its introduction in 1993, the Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy (STEP) of the Hong Kong Police Force has been helping to prioritise traffic enforcement, ultimately helping the Police to prevent more traffic accidents and maintain smooth traffic flows.
Each year, the Police review major traffic accidents from the previous 12 months, including the contributory factors in those accidents. These findings are then used as parameters for STEP to focus on offences that cause, or are most likely to cause, accidents. Findings are also used in targeted publicity campaigns to address the community’s most pressing road safety issues.
STEP is just one example of how technology is now being used to enhance enforcement. In 2006, the Police continued to make greater use of advanced technology to crackdown on dangerous road practices and bring offenders to justice.
We all know the importance of good manners in a social and business setting, but some people seem to forget their manners when behind the wheel. Unfortunately, bad manners on the road are not just a discourtesy, they can also kill. The Police have identified five main actions that directly impact the incidence and severity of accidents:
Driving too close to the vehicle in front
Losing control of a vehicle
Careless lane changing
Improper or illegal turns
Turning carelessly
For the safety of everyone, the Police actively use road patrols and advanced enforcement technology to encourage safe driving practices, and prosecute offenders where necessary.
Legislation to combat Drink Driving in Hong Kong was first introduced in 1995. Later in 1999, the prescribed limit was reduced from 35ug to 22ug per 100ml. The amended legislation played a significant role in saving lives on our roads.
In 2006, a total of 42,812 drivers were breathalysed, with 3.1% or 1,341 drivers subsequently found to have exceeded alcohol level. The results in 2006 are in line with those in previous years. On a positive note, 95.5% of breathalysed drivers have no alcohol or alcohol level below limit in their test results, indicating that the majority of drivers in Hong Kong are responsible when it comes to driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol.
Police will continue to mount road safety campaigns against Drink Driving.
Red Light Cameras (RLCs) play an important role in enhancing road safety. Installed to monitor drivers’ observance of road signals at selected junctions, RLCs automatically capture photos of vehicles ignoring a red light. This photographic record of a traffic violation allows the Police to trace the offenders and prosecute them.
There are now 96 RLCs in 131 fixed enforcement sites across Hong Kong. The Transport Department and Police are also working on plans to install yet more cameras in existing and new locations, bringing the total number of cameras and sites to 155 and the camera-to-housing ratio to 1:1.
Speed Enforcement Cameras
As in many other places around the world, speeding is a major cause of serious traffic accidents in Hong Kong. To combat this, Speed Enforcement Cameras (SECs) are installed along a number of major roads and provide an automatic photographic record of speeding vehicles, including their travelling speed at the time of the violation. This evidence enables the Police to prosecute offenders and provides a powerful deterrent to other drivers who may otherwise consider breaking the speed limit.
Since the introduction of Hong Kong’s first SEC in 1999, the number of SECs has now increased to 10 operated at 85 fixed enforcement sites. To further reduce speeding-related traffic accidents, the Transport Department and Police are also looking at opportunities for an even wider deployment of SECs in the future.
Video System
There are sufficient police cars having equipped with In-car Video System. The system is a powerful tool in fighting against Speeding and other inconsiderate driving manners, such as improper lane changing and tailgating. The enhanced evidence with video record would strengthen the police case in prosecution. Hopefully, the deployment of In-car Video System would lead to an effect that drivers in Hong Kong would remain alert at all times and most important, be responsible.
Laser Guns
Steps have been taken to ensure that Police have sufficient Laser Guns to enhance enforcement against Speeding offences. The equipment have been regularly deployed at strategic locations throughout Hong Kong.
General Safety
There are various ways to improve road safety and to reduce the chance of accidents.
In 2006, the Police continued to play a frontline role in enforcing safety legislation. For instance, seat belts have been proven to reduce the risk of death and serious injuries in traffic accidents. During the year, 17,165 drivers and passengers were prosecuted for seatbelt-related offences. Likewise, 27,968 persons were prosecuted in 2006 for using handheld mobile phones and telecommunications equipment while driving.
Publicity and education also play a vital role in enforcing legislation. In 2006, the Police continued to hold educational events and publish the informative Traffic Days monthly newsletter. Sustained crackdowns on traffic offenders have also helped raise the profile and importance of road safety among the general public.
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