Road Safety Council Annual Report 2009

The Hong Kong Road Safety Association (HKRSA) is a voluntary organisation formed in 1961 to promote pedestrian safety and to oversee the work of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (HKRSP) which focuses on the safety of student pedestrians on their way to and from school.

By December 2009, the HKRSP had a membership of 10,953, including students from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as well as senior citizens from elderly centres. In addition to the 733 volunteers who serve as leaders, a Commissioner, appointed by the HKRSA's Executive Committee, heads the Patrol.

Throughout the year, the HKRSP participated in a range of road safety campaigns and community events, provided regulatory and traffic-flow services, spearheaded road safety education among students and further developed the significant roles that student members play in school road safety education and as Road Safety Ambassadors.

Liaison activities with cities and provinces in Mainland China enabled the HKRSA to share experience and expertise in promoting road safety awareness and creating road safety patrols in schools. To make road safety information available to the widest possible audience, the HKRSA and HKRSP continue to operate a website (www.rsa.org.hk).

The HKRSA is supported by an annual Government subvention to help defray administrative and other costs.

Over the past 12 months, the Hong Kong Automobile Association has continued to actively advise and assist the Road Safety Council. Its representatives sit on the Council as well as the Road Safety Research Committee, the Road Safety Campaign Committee and the Speed Limit Review Working Group. In these roles, the HKAA has had clear input in terms of assisting both the Council and the Government in developing new legislations, measures to improve roads and road safety and other aspects connected with the general protection of motorists and other road users.

Today, nearly a century after the HKAA's formation, the Association continues to promote better road safety and traffic management in Hong Kong. As a member of the Federation of International Automobile (FIA), HKAA also promotes safe and legal motor sport activities.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists HONG KONG (IAM-HK) is a non-commercial, non-profit-making group which aims to promote the standard of driving to the highest level in Hong Kong. All members of this interest group have to pass an Advanced Driving Test conducted by the Institute and must be able to demonstrate a high level of skill and drive with a sense of responsibility to all other road users including pedestrians.

In 2009, the IAM-HK continued to participate in the Road Safety Council's activities filling important roles on the Road Safety Research Committee and the Road Safety Campaign Committee to promulgate safety messages to the motoring public. The group also delivered Advanced Driving Training Courses to drivers and fleet operators of major companies as part of its mission to elevate driving standards in the territory.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK) covers a wide spectrum of industries from shipping, logistics, airlines, railways and roads through to public transport. Its 1,900 members are experienced managers and staff in government, public and private sector corporations and consultancies.

CILTHK regularly organises qualified programmes and events for members such as seminars, forums, conferences and visits.　 It also defines codes of practice to uphold professional standards across the industry and participates in public committees and advisory bodies to comment on transport and logistics-related issues for the Government.

CILTHK joined the Road Safety Council as an active member in August 2001 and takes part in both the Road Safety Campaign Committee and Road Safety Research Committee

It works closely with the Road Safety Council, the Highways Department, the Transport Department, the Customs and Excise, the Immigration Department and the Police to improve road safety and distribute road safety messages to the industry

The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) has over 7,200 member practitioners. It imparts medical knowledge and information regarding the care and well being of road users. To further boost road safety, it also offers advice to drivers on the side-effects of medications and other subjects.

Through medical educational programmes, volunteer doctors work hard to help publicise the dangers of drink-driving and drug-driving. The HKMA also uses press releases, publications, radio and TV programmes, lectures and exhibitions to spread its life-saving messages. A monthly newsletter reports on the Association's activities and comments on controversial medical matters.

Founded in 1920, the HKMA was formerly known as the Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association. More than 89 years later, it remains active in the community, working hard to improve the standards of medical practice in Hong Kong while also maintaining friendly, professional relations with registered medical practitioners. The HKMA motto is 'To Safeguard the Health of the People'.

The Road Safety Council is able to stay abreast of the latest medical news, as a result of the HKMA's affiliation with many international medical groups, such as the World Medical Association, the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania, and the Hong Kong Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Throughout the year, the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI) continued to support relevant and related Road Safety Council's initiatives. HKFI's web pages are hyperlinked to the Road Safety Council's homepage, providing drivers with useful information on motor insurance, including third-party risks insurance, no-claims bonus, motor insurance cover under adverse weather conditions and other topics.

HKFI also offers special incentives to safe drivers and drivers who have voluntarily attended a Driving Improvement Course.

The HKFI consists of some 150 members and is recognised by the Government as the representative body of the insurance industry. In addition to liaising with the Commissioner of Insurance on legislative and industry matters, the HKFI is committed to improving the professionalism of the insurance industry by promoting and perfecting its self-regulatory regime.

The HKFI consists of two councils – the General Insurance Council and the Life Insurance Council. The Accident Insurance Association established under the General Insurance Council handles all matters relating to motor insurance.