While various Government departments devote a great deal of time and effort in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on Hong Kong’s roads, the maintenance of vehicles by owners themselves also contributes significantly to road safety.

 

Work by Government


Site Investigations and Improvements

       Where common factors leading to accidents are identified at certain sites, remedial measures can be developed to prevent, or at least minimise, the occurrence of traffic accidents. Efforts will be made to remedy the situation by improving the road environment or providing additional warnings to road users.

Priority for investigation is given to the following sites:

  • Those with a higher accident rate or where serious traffic accidents have taken place
  • Those with a lower accident rate but which capture public attention
  • Those recording a sudden rise in accident rate

       A traffic accident black site list is compiled quarterly by the Transport Department in accordance with the following criteria:

(i) Six or more traffic accidents involving pedestrian injury for a 12-month period; and

(ii) Nine or more injury traffic accidents of any description for a 12-month period.

       Maintaining our roads in top condition is the result of joint effort by the Police, Transport Department and Highways Department through the Traffic Accident Reduction Co-ordination Committee (TARCC).

Traffic accidents


       During 2004, the Transport Department carried out investigations at 108 sites, including traffic accident blacksites, and other locations described above.


The Blacksite Investigation Programme

       Of the 108 sites investigated in 2004, remedial measures taken were usually on a small scale. Low cost schemes which were quick and simple were implemented. Effect of the blacksite investigation programme is evident in the gradual reduction of blacksite numbers over the years. There were 140 blacksites in 1994, which were drastically reduced to 66 in 2004 using the same threshold criteria adopted.

 

Laying anti-skid materials

MASS Action

       MASS action is the Multiple Application of Standard Solutions applied to particular accident sites. It is a very useful technique which allows the efficient use of limited manpower resources to study accidents. Known effective accident reduction measures can be implemented at a large number of locations with a comparatively small amount of study at each location.


 

Area Studies

       Accident situations at a designated area are examined and the results may lead to comprehensive improvements to the environment of the area or a comprehensive traffic management scheme. Remedial measures may also be taken, which may have a significant impact on local traffic and transport arrangements.



Engineering Measures

Escort vehicle equipped with multiple sequence warning sign and truck mounted attenuator

       To enhance safety in carrying out road works on expressways, the Highways Department had introduced a number of new safety products for lighting, signing and guarding measures. These products included multiple sequence warning signs to warn drivers to watch out for road works and truck mounted attenuators to reduce the severity of accidents as a result of tailing errant vehicles crashing into slow moving works vehicle fleets. In addition, the Highways Department has been collaborating with the Transport Department and Hong Kong Police Force in continuous development of working procedures and guidelines on how road works should be lit, signed and guarded. The use of updated safety products and working procedures will be incorporated in the new version of the Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works to be issued in 2005.

Field trial of anti-skid materials at Tai Po Road

       Besides continuous improvement on lighting, signing and guarding of road works, major engineering solutions for enhancing road safety also include the application of anti-skid treatment and street lighting improvements. The Highways Department continues to conduct research on improving the performance of anti-skid materials and developing new materials suitable for use on asphalt roads. Field trials of acrylic and thermoplastic anti-skid materials commenced in early 2004. The effect of the new materials is being monitored.
Before Laying anti-skid materials
After Laying anti-skid materials


Maintenance of Different Vehicles

 


Vehicle Approval and Registration
       Every new type of vehicle will normally need to undergo type approval to ensure that the vehicle type complies with the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations. Before each vehicle is registered, it will have to be examined for roadworthiness unless product conformity is assured by the manufacturer and accepted by the Transport Department.

Annual Inspections



       All commercial vehicles, irrespective of their age, and all private cars over six years old are subject to annual inspection before their licences are renewed. The vehicles are tested and inspected at designated vehicle inspection centres and they cannot be re-licenced unless they pass the annual inspection. If defects are found, they will need to be rectified first.


Franchised Buses

       Spot checks and close monitoring of franchised buses have resulted in higher standards of maintenance throughout the industry. There are also call-up inspections of non-franchised buses to ensure their safety for both drivers and passengers.


School Transport Vehicles

       Special attention is paid to the safety of school buses and all operators must hold valid passenger service licences and passenger service certificates for their vehicles. An inter-departmental working group meets regularly to ensure passenger safety on these vehicles, including installation of safer seats, comprehensive driver training and concerted publicity and education for parents and students.