Chairman's Foreword

I am very pleased to present to you my second Annual Report as the Chairman of the Road Safety Council (the Council). In 2011, the Council continued to strive to promote road safety in Hong Kong, and had another successful year. Even though 130 people were unfortunately killed in traffic accidents, this was the second lowest figure since 1955, despite being an increase when compared to the record low number of 117 fatalities in 2010. Although Hong Kong already has one of the lowest traffic accident fatality rates in the world, the Council will remain vigilant to promote road safety.

As a government advisory body, the Council steers collaborative efforts amongst all stakeholders. Road safety will improve if all of us hold the same determination to reduce the number of road accidents. By joining hands with government departments, non-government organisations and the business sector, together with an effective accident prevention strategy, we can without doubt foster a safer environment on our roads.

In 2011, 50 cases of driving under the influence of drugs were detected. This was a welcome drop of 40% from the surge in 2010. In the same year, the Administration commenced the legislative process for introducing the Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2011 to create new offences and enforcement powers to combat drug driving. Commensurate with the drug driving trend and the commencement of the new laws on 15 March 2012, the Council launched a series of education and publicity campaigns to arouse public awareness. The slogan ‘Drug Driving – may be your journey to death’, which is shown on prominent traffic routes and different media platforms, has already raised people’s awareness.

The Council has maintained its momentum against drink driving. Apart from reviewing banners and announcements of public interest, the Council also explored new platforms to strengthen the message of ‘If you drink, don’t drive’ to drivers. In 2011, we conveyed to different age groups and professions the grave consequences of drink driving through television, radio and websites. Notably and most encouragingly, traffic accidents involving drink driving continued the downward trend, dropping from 281 cases in 2009 to 213 cases in 2010 and further down to 210 in 2011. Last Christmas, members of the Council joined the Police to visit entertainment areas in Tsim Sha Tsui to remind people not to drive after drinking alcohol. The Council will not be complacent and will continue with its efforts to promote safe driving.

In recent years, cycling safety has been one of the Council’s major concerns. In 2011, the Council joined hands with the Police and District Councils to conduct safe cycling campaigns, including the ‘Summer Safe Cycling 2011’ in Tai Po which was attended by many people. Announcements of public interest, focusing on cycling behaviour, the relevant laws and safety equipment, were broadcast on the television and radio. Messages were displayed on taxis to remind cyclists to obey the traffic laws and for drivers to be aware of cyclists. The Transport Department also launched an online Information Centre. Due to the increased popularity of cycling, cyclist casualties have risen from 1,768 in 2010 to 2,194 in 2011, amounting to 9% and 11% of the total road casualties respectively. With the increased interest in cycling, especially following Hong Kong’s success in the London Olympic cycling event, it is anticipated that cycling activities will continue to grow, and as such the Council will continue to promote safe cycling through publicity and education. Cycling safety has been included in the curriculum for primary schools, teaching students the knowledge, skills and values for being a responsible, competent and safe road user.

Despite the slight drop of 1% from 3,898 in 2010 to 3,840 in 2011, pedestrians still recorded the highest rate of fatalities and serious injuries. Of particular concern is that 50 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents were aged 60 or above, amounting to 69% of the total pedestrian fatalities. The Council has intensified its safety awareness efforts for pedestrians and one of the major events was the ‘Road Safety Council Annual Ceremony 2011 cum Elderly Pedestrian Safety Day’. We also conducted the ‘Elderly Pedestrian Safety Photo Competition’ and the ‘Elderly Safety Bus Parades’. The Council will continue to conduct education and publicity campaigns to remind people of their roles on pedestrian safety. Especially for our elderly citizens, we will constantly remind them to ‘Love yourself, Love your family, Be a smart pedestrian’.

In order to adopt a comprehensive approach in promoting road safety, the Council has a sub-committee that researches road accident trends, and road safety developments both in Hong Kong and overseas. In conducting its research, the sub-committee has recently considered subjects such as improving the use of child restraints in private cars and initiated a trial scheme for improved road-marking designs at roundabouts. Another area of the sub-committee’s work is the greater publicity for encouraging cyclists to wear helmets. All of the research has the desired goal of improving road safety.
I strongly believe that road safety is a responsibility to be borne by all road users and at every strata of society. The Road Safety Council will therefore remain committed to a multi-agency and community-based approach to road safety, and will continue to develop and implement effective strategies to pursue our road safety vision – ‘Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong’s Goal’.

TANG Kam-moon, Xavier
Chairman
Road Safety Council