Traffic Accident Statistics

The Council’s programmes and direction are formulated with reference to accident trends and common accident contributory factors. To this end, traffic accident statistics and trends are carefully analysed to determine appropriate measures to mitigate and prevent traffic accidents.

2016 Statistics

An analysis of Hong Kong’s traffic accident statistics for 2016 reveals that 16 099 traffic accidents involved injuries, with a total of 20 132 casualties. On average, 44 traffic accidents with injuries occurred each day during the year and about two to three people were killed each week. Compared with the previous year, the number of accidents and the number of casualties decreased slightly by 0.44% and 1.22% respectively. 

Categorising accidents by collision type reveals that in 2016 the number of vehicle collisions involving pedestrians decreased from 3 218 cases in 2015 to 3 172 cases in 2016. However, cases involving one vehicle colliding with another increased from 7 098 cases in 2015 to 7 507 cases in 2016.

While there has not been any significant change in the past decade in the number of traffic accidents involving injuries, there is a downward trend in fatalities. A total of 132 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2016.

The Council studies causes and consequences of traffic accidents and maintains a comprehensive traffic accident database to help formulate appropriate road safety strategies. Clearly, pedestrians consistently suffer the highest number of fatalities while private cars are the group most commonly involved in accidents. Of the 25 658 vehicles involved in traffic accidents in 2016, private cars accounted for 8 207, compared with 4 493 taxis, 2 947 light goods vehicles, 2 722 public buses, 2 355 motorcycles, 2 238 bicycles and 2 696 other vehicle types.

Impact of Road Conditions

Statistics show that among injuries related to traffic accidents, 27% occurred at road junctions and 26% occurred at pedestrian crossings. Some 29% of traffic accidents happened at night while another five percent occurred around dawn or dusk.

Top five contributory factors in traffic accidents 2016 (from four perspectives)

I. Driver

II. Casualty (Passenger or Pedestrian)

III. Vehicle

IV. Environment