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Hong Kong's death toll over recent years has decreased, despite an increase in both population and vehicle ownership. In 2008, 162 people died in road traffic accidents. This is the fourth lowest number of fatalities recorded in Hong Kong. A total of 14,576 traffic accidents were reported last year, a 4.8% decrease as compared with 2007. Casualty statistics dropped by a similar rate to 18,684 cases.
Whilst these statistical improvements are welcome, we are fully aware of the ongoing cost of road accidents to the community in terms of hospital, medical, rehabilitation, economic and emotional costs and losses. It remains important that we continue to review safety measures in a law and enforcement context.
New Legislation
Over the past year, road safety continued to be the subject of close scrutiny by the Transport Panel of the Legislative Council, media and members of the public. Particular emphasis has been placed on enforcement action dealing with speeding and drink driving.
In June 2008, the Legislative Council passed the Road Traffic Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2008, with the following package of measures to enhance road safety:
- Raising the maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death from 5 to 10 years;
- Raising penalties for drink driving offences by disqualifying the offenders from driving for not less than three months on first conviction and requiring them to attend Driving Improvement Courses on a mandatory basis;
- Providing the Police with the power to conduct random breath tests;
- Imposing mandatory requirements for traffic offenders to attend Driving Improvement Courses and introducing new penalties for non-compliance with such a requirement; and
- Introducing the Probationary Driving Licence scheme to novice drivers of private cars and light goods vehicles.
In 2008, 39,764 drivers underwent breathalyzer checks. Of this number, 1,495 or 3.8% were found to have exceeded the prescribed alcohol intake limit, an increase over the 3.3% recorded in 2007. Drink driving can bring about grave consequences not only to the drivers of the vehicles concerned but also to other road users. The provision of power to the Police to require drivers to conduct screening breath tests at random without the need for reasonable suspicion, is expected to have a deterrent effect on drink drivers and result in a reduction in the traffic accident rate. The message being given to all drivers is clear: If you drink, don't drive. High profile publicity and public education campaigns, combined with strict enforcement policies, are expected to have an impact throughout 2009.
Prioritising Enforcement
The key enforcement tool used to enhance road safety is the Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy (STEP) operated by the Hong Kong Police. This policy sets priorities for traffic enforcement. Established in 1993, it is updated and audited for results on a regular basis. The primary aim is to enhance road safety through prevention of traffic accidents and maintenance of smooth traffic flows.
Drivers Safety
Of the 143 fatal traffic accidents recorded in 2008, 47 involved light goods vehicles. The main causes involved improper or illegal turns, speeding and driving too close to the vehicle ahead. Operation Kickstarter is a programme targeting the higher than average accident rate amongst goods vehicles and public service vehicles that include franchised buses, public light buses and taxis. The programme covers publicity and driver education. Enforcement will focus primarily on tailgating, speeding, traffic light offences, the use of hand held mobile phones whilst driving and seatbelt infringements.
Another initiative, known as Project Saferide, focuses on enhancing safe driving by public light bus drivers and was implemented across Hong Kong in November 2008. Members of the public are invited to inform the police or the public light bus operators respectively of any serious traffic offences or malpractice committed by public light bus drivers. Already the rate of accidents involving public light buses in the Kowloon East Region has dropped significantly after the introduction of this trial scheme in March 2008.
Keeping Cyclists Safe
Traffic accidents involving bicycles accounted for 10.9 % of all accidents in 2008. Cyclists, including those involved in commercial deliveries, often fail to obey road traffic regulations and endanger themselves as well as other road users. A Hong Kong-wide operation, known as Operation Goldensun, was initiated in 2008 to tackle the issue. The operation will continue in 2009.
Protecting Passengers and Other Road Users
Other operations over the year have focused on seatbelt use on public light buses and anti-illegal road racing. Each police region deals with these issues on a local operational basis. In order to enforce laws against jumping red lights, digital red light cameras are located at strategic road junctions and account for over 80 percent of all enforcement measures against drivers jumping red lights. There was a noticeable decrease in the number of prosecutions in this area during 2008.
Elderly Road User Satety
In Hong Kong, pedestrians are the most vulnerable demographic group, accounting for 54% of traffic accident fatalities in 2008. Of the 88 pedestrians who were killed, 60 were aged 60 years or over and 12 were in their 50s. To cut the accident rate in this area, police are enforcing laws that cover jaywalking and other pedestrian infringements. In the past, the elderly (over 60) and the young (under 16) were normally dealt with by way of warnings. In 2009, strict enforcement action will be adopted against all pedestrians. |
