Non-government Organisations

Invaluable support in the running of the Road Safety Council and the promotion of road safety generally is given by six non-government organisations (NGOs) — the Hong Kong Road Safety Association, the Hong Kong Automobile Association, the Institute of Advanced Motorists Hong Kong, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Medical Association and the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers.

Each has a specific role to play; each is a specialist in its field, and each is run by professionals, experts and members knowledgeable in road safety. Their contribution in the strategies and policies of the Council are immeasurable. By and large, they are made up of volunteers; men, women and children who believe in the community they serve and who share the common objective of making Hong Kong a safer place to live.

The Hong Kong Road Safety Association (RSA)

Thousands of young people take to the streets each day, protecting their peers, helping others and above all, influencing others to share a responsibility towards road safety. These guardian angels are the core of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (RSP), whose prime objective is to promote pedestrian safety in Hong Kong.

The RSP comes under the auspices of the Hong Kong Road Safety Association (RSA), a voluntary organisation formed in 1961 by a group of civic-minded individuals.

The Road Safety Patrol was formed two years after the formation of the Road Safety Association. Volunteers serve as officers and it is headed by a Commissioner appointed by the Association's Executive Committee.

        It was originally funded by donations from the public and commercial firms. In 1965 it was officially recognised by the Government and was awarded an annual subvention to help defray administrative costs.

        The Road Safety Patrol now boasts 13,664 members from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as well as senior citizens from elderly centres.

Over the years its pedestrian safety education programme has evolved to encompass the entire community and now more and more elderly people, the most vulnerable to pedestrian accidents, join the youngsters in the Road Safety Patrol. Today many elderly people can be seen at pedestrian crossings spreading the message to other pedestrians to ensure the safety of people crossing the road.

Members of the RSP have helped not only in promoting road safety in Hong Kong but also to serve the community. They are given the opportunity to broaden their horizon with chances to meet other youth road safety groups outside Hong Kong. A website (www.rsa.org.hk) has been developed for the exchange of and updating of road safety information.

Hong Kong Automobile Association (HKAA)

        The HKAA, a strong association of motorists, puts road safety on the top of its priorities by promoting a proper driving attitude propagated through its newsletter, seminars and its website (www.hkaa.com.hk ).

        Formed in 1918 by a group of pioneering motorists sharing a common interest in vehicle maintenance and road safety, the HKAA is perhaps the oldest organisation in Hong Kong, outside the government, promoting road safety. Some 86 years on it still upholds its original objectives to improve road safety and traffic flows.

        One of its greatest incentives to members is their offering huge discounts to accident-free careful drivers on their costly insurance policies. No accidents mean substantial savings for compulsory third party insurance. Other discounts are offered to members by the Association.

        Vehicle maintenance is an essential component of the Association's services with the vision that safe cars make roads safe. Its depots are among those designated to carry out road worthiness inspections for vehicle registration.

        The HKAA is a member of the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) and the Federation Internationale de l' Automobile (FIA), whose common concerns are focused on freedom of mobility, safer roads and cleaner cars. The Association's president attends their General Assembly each year to share views, knowledge, strategies and advanced technologies developed by member associations.

        The Association's mission is to help the Government and road users with ongoing endeavours to reduce traffic accidents. The promotion of a greater awareness about road safety, combined with sustained enforcement of laws by the Police, has undoubtedly contributed to the decreasing road traffic accidents toll in recent years.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists Hong Kong (IAMHK)

Another representative on the Road Safety Council is the IAMHK, a non-commercial and non-profit-making group dedicated to the promotion of advanced driving in Hong Kong.

All members have to pass an Advanced Driving Test of the Institute to demonstrate their competent control of a car as well as showing due care to others as expected from a responsible driver.

The Institute acts as a bridge between the Government and the motoring public in the dissemination of road safety messages and feedback from drivers.

The IAMHK takes part in most of the campaigns launched by the Road Safety Council including the on-going 'Smart Driving' campaign and the Road Safety Vision and Symbol Design Competitions.

In 2003, the Institute continued to organise, as it had done for the past 10 years, the Commissioner for Transport's Safe Driving Competition and it assisted a number of major companies and organisations with talks and demonstrations for their drivers.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK)

        Also taking on the responsibility of road safety is the all embracing CILTHK which, as the name implies, covers shipping, logistics, airlines, railways, roads and public transport and its 1,500 members are experienced managers and staff in government, corporations and consultancies engaged in these fields.

        It recognises that transport and logistics are complementary and highly interdependent with a big overlap of activities. It is because of this growth of inter-dependence that the Institute has undergone a series of name changes to reflect its new role.

        The original Institute of Transport was formed in the UK in 1919 and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It set up its first branch in Hong Kong in 1968 and was upgraded to the HK Section in 1972. On October 1, 1991, it was again upgraded to National Council status,

giving it the authority to handle all institute matters independently. Its membership grew as its interdependence with allied activities evolved in 2001 it underwent its current name change to the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

        The CILTHK sets and maintains professional standards through qualified programmes and codes of practice, as well as seminars, forums, conferences and visits for its members. For some time it has participated in transport and logistics-related public committees and advisory bodies, offering a professional view on industry matters to the Government.

        Committed to road safety, the CILTHK participates in the Council's Road Safety Campaign Committee and Road Safety Research Committee and became an active member of the Road Safety Council in August 2001.

        Working hand in hand with the Road Safety Council, the Highways and Transport Departments, Customs and Excise, the Police and Immigration authorities, the Institute pays attention to the goods vehicle sector plying our highways with trade across the boundary points at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok with an objective to enhance road safety and facilitate the dissemination of road safety messages to the trade.

The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA)

The HKMA provides the Road Safety Council with invaluable medical knowledge and support in the care and well being of road users. Its 6,300 member practitioners advise patients on the possible effects of medications on drivers, including those which make drivers sleepy or slow down their reactions, thus impairing their driving ability.

Volunteer doctors also help to promote medical awareness and knowledge of the effects of drink and drug driving with medical educational programmes using press releases, publications, radio and TV programmes, lectures and exhibitions. A monthly newsletter reports on the Association's activities and comments on controversial medical issues.

Founded in 1920 as the Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association, it strives to improve standards of medical practice in Hong Kong while maintaining friendly professional and social relations amongst registered medical practitioners.

With its motto — To Safeguard the Health of the People — the Association actively disseminates to the Council, its members and the public, medical knowledge gleaned from its membership of the World Medical Association, the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania and the Hong Kong Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI)

Hyperlinked to the Road Safety Council's webpage is the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, providing invaluable information on all motor insurance issues — third party insurance, no claim bonuses, motor insurance, cover under adverse weather conditions etc. Special incentives are also provided for safe drivers and for drivers who voluntarily attend driving improvement courses.

The Federation, established in 1988, has 150 members and is recognised as the representative body of the insurance industry. It consists of two councils: the General Insurance Council and the Life Insurance Council. Under the General Insurance Council is the Accident Insurance Association which handles all matters relating to motor insurance.

During 2003 the federation continued its education programmes to policyholders with the distribution of leaflets and road safety messages.