Every year brings new challenges to promote road safety in Hong Kong.  In 2008, the Council aims to implement the following publicity and educational programmes:

"Smart Driving with Courtesy" Campaign

"Smart Driving with Courtesy" will continue to be one of our core themes for the Road Safety Council's publicity campaigns.  In the year ahead, a comprehensive publicity package that includes a TV Announcement for Public Interest (API), as well as promotional programmes on radio channels will remind drivers of the need for courteous and responsible driving.

Other publicity initiatives during the year ahead include the promotion of the road safety vision song, reminding passengers to fasten their seat belts while on board public light buses, cycling safety and not to use electronic devices whilst crossing roads.

Annual Campaign Launching Ceremony

Our Road Safety Campaign Launching Ceremony 2007 was launched on 29th November 2007 followed by a special TV programme in December 2007.  It was officiated by the RSC Chairman, RSCC Chairman and Commissioner for Transport with the full support of the RSC and RSCC members.  Broadcast as an entertaining and thought-provoking quiz, the TV programme not only proved to be an excellent way of communicating vital messages about road safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians, but also attracted a large audience.

In 2008, the RSCC will again form a committee to organise a ceremony that builds on this success and further enhances the public's road safety awareness through performance by local celebrities, members of Road Safety Patrol Teams and the support of members of the public by forming a gigantic road safety symbol and vision.

Road Safety Vision and Symbol

Our vision of 'Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal' has already proved a simple and effective way of raising public awareness of road safety and encouraging safe manner in using the road.  To further promote the vision and enlist public support, we have included the vision and symbol in most of our publicity projects and souvenirs to members of the public.

In 2008, apart from promoting the vision and mascot, we shall also promote the Road Safety Vision Song.  Presented in a pop-song style, this catchy song will be broadcast on the Council's website and during other road safety publicity activities.

RSC Annual Report and Road Safety Bulletin

The Council's Annual Report is now available on CD-ROM as prepared by the RSC Annual Report working group.  This practice will be continued in 2008, ensuring the widest possible audience for the Council's update on educational and publicity works together with traffic accident related figures.

Starting in 2007, the Transport Department increased Road Safety Bulletins from every six months to every four months to enhance the spread of road safety messages.  In 2008, the Department will continue this to maintain the road safety education for the public.

RSC Website

Our website plays a valuable role in helping to publicise road safety messages.  Besides, the Council will continue to make use of the website to further engage the community by encouraging the public to send their suggestions or requests via the enquiry function of the website.  The Council's Secretariat responds to the enquiries, co-ordinates updates from government departments and other organisations.

Local Publicity and Educational Activities

Distirct Offices of Home Affairs Department have a long term partnership with the Police to organise various road safety events and activities.  To date, these have included road safety campaign ceremonies, quizzes, carnivals and seminars.  More road safety activities are planned for the district level with support from the Hong Kong Road Safety Association and other local organisations.

Courtesy Visits to District Councils

RSC members garner support from District Councils through attending Traffic and Transport Committee meetings.  Each visit offers an opportunity for district council members to learn more about the Council's work and explore ways to assist local residents by addressing their road safety concerns.

Courtesy visits will continue through 2008.  District Councils and local committees are encouraged to include the Road Safety Council in any road safety events or programmes held at the district level.

Professional Drivers

Professional drivers are an important target group for the Council's road safety messages.  The Police and Transport Department will continue its education programme for drivers of the public transport trades at conferences and seminars and via publicity materials.  These efforts will be complemented by the Police's street level education and publicity for professional drivers, targeting key locations such as traffic blacksites, public car parks, gas stations and border control points.

Road Safety Proficiency Badge Scheme for Youths

The scheme has been operating very well.  Since February 2006, a total of 91 classes have been organised with the participation of more than 1,800 primary students.  The RSCC Chairman will oversee the expansion of this scheme in 2008.

Education for Students

To support road safety education in schools, the Education Bureau will continue to provide relevant information through its website.  These include teaching materials and other resources on road safety available on the Moral and Civic Education Resources Net on the Bureau's homepage (http://mce.edb.hkedcity.net).  The Bureau will work with other government departments and Non-Government Organisations in the production of learning and teaching materials that promote students' interest in road safety.

Curriculum development is another key way in which the Bureau continues to promote road safety education.  The current framework includes road safety education in General Studies; this will soon be further strengthened with an elective subject entitled Health Management and Social Care, which will be added to the new Senior Secondary Curriculum from 2009.

Children and the Elderly

On many occasions, traffic accidents involve children and the elderly.  To help inform, educate and protect these vulnerable groups, the service units of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and other Non-Government Organisations have included road safety messages in their publicity programmes.  The SWD has also helped in distributing our Road Safety Bulletin and other printed materials to the elderly and children.  The response to these efforts has been encouraging and will further the partnership between the Council and the SWD.