The year 2009 was yet another year of success in our work in promoting road safety as evidenced by the continuing decrease in fatal traffic accidents, with the number of fatal accidents in 2009 being the lowest since 1958.  There is however no room for complacency.

This achievement is the result of a very productive partnership with government departments, non-government agencies, the business sector and more importantly the participation of the whole community.  The Road Safety Council (the Council) devises road safety strategies by carefully analysing traffic accident statistics and causation factors.  In 2009, the Council focused on three key areas, namely "Anti-drink Driving", "Safe Cycling" and "Road Safety of Elderly Pedestrians".  In addition, the Council advocated the "3C-driving" principle of "Care", "Concern" and "Commitment".  The Council continues to strive to disseminate the road safety message widely and effectively by using a wide spectrum of media platforms, including television, radio and the internet.  In this regard we have hosted a Road Safety Website since 2002 as a tool to maintain meaningful and constructive interactions with the community.  In 2009, the Road Safety Council Website recorded 933,216 visitors, representing an average of 2,557 hits daily.

Developing a responsible road user culture is the long term strategy of the Council.  We believe that road safety education should begin at an early age and that our Road Safety Towns and the Road Safety Bus provide excellent platforms for child road safety education.  Through a safe simulated road environment, attractive decorations and innovative computer games, children and students can receive road safety education in an enjoyable atmosphere.

Determined to reduce traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians, the Council in partnership with the District Councils commissioned an elderly road safety open top bus in March 2009 to launch publicity campaigns and activities throughout Hong Kong aimed at our senior citizens.  "Elderly Road Safety Ambassadors" have also been appointed in association with the Road Safety Patrol to engage the elderly groups to bring home the message of "Love Yourself, Love Your Family, Be a Smart Pedestrian".

The Road Traffic Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 enacted on 4th July 2008 empowers police officers to conduct random breath tests for drink driving and introduces mandatory driving improvement courses for drivers found guilty of drink driving offences.  Apart from its involvement in the legislative process, the Council had also launched a series of publicity campaigns to raise awareness in the community of the dangers of drink driving.  In 2009, we launched a 10-month anti-drink driving publicity campaign which included the production and publication of a new TV announcement, promoting anti-drink driving awareness at Lan Kwai Fong with the support of a celebrity football team and partnering with the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers to publicize the adverse impact of drink driving on third party insurance coverage.  In addition, an accident damaged vehicle was displayed prominently at the Cross Harbour Tunnel to remind drivers of the serious consequences of drink driving.  The results have been most encouraging in that the number of accidents involving drink driving dropped by 59% from 701 cases in 2008 to 287 cases in 2009.

"Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal" has been the Council's continuous pursuit.  I am confident that with the concerted efforts of our road safety partners and the community, Hong Kong will become an even safer place for all road users.