Over the years, the Road Safety Council has mapped out a clear and comprehensive strategy which has translated into a range of specific activities and programmes to enhance road safety. This commitment and hard work has been bearing fruit, and we are highly encourage in 2022, Hong Kong has lowest number of fatal accidents since 1953. Encouraged as we are, road safety is an ongoing battle and we can by no means be complacent. In addition to the toll on human lives, traffic accidents cause enormous human suffering and create heavy economic burdens both for families and the community.
Looking ahead, new initiatives and activities will build on strategies which have proven successful in the past. With a focused “Priority Plan”, we will continue to actively work on our five-pronged approach, which combines education, road engineering, enforcement, encouragement and evaluation, to improve road safety in Hong Kong.
Enhancing Education and Publicity
Research on traffic accidents indicates that the majority of accidents involve human factors. We will therefore continue to focus on publicity and education to foster change in road user behavior. The major push of these campaigns will focus on the “Anti-Drink Driving”, “Anti-Drug Driving”, “Safe Cycling” and “Road Safety of Elderly Pedestrians” theme, driving home the message that simply being aware of road safety is not enough. Road users must follow through “Be a Responsible Drivers”, Pledge not to Drink and Drive.
Innovation and Technology
Meeting the changes taking place in the information industry, we are looking at new, interesting and diverse ways of taking the safety message to the community. This includes a shift into electronic information, such as the launch of our website, as well as more on-line and interactive material and through online system for example Facebook and YouTube to have better promotion.
Focused Action on Target Groups
We will continue with our policy to focus special action at targeted groups, building on campaigns which have proven to have a high impact in the past. Identifying the more vulnerable road user groups, enables us to align our information and focus on their special needs.
Improved Engineering and Legislation
Ongoing efforts in research, technology systems and road engineering improvements continue unabated. To enhance safety on expressways, a number of new safety products have been introduced. These products included Removable Concrete Barriers consist of a series of precast concrete units which can be removed within an hour by lifting plant to facilitate traffic diversions in the event of a major traffic incident. Unlike tubular crash gates, which have no containment capacity to prevent an errant vehicle from straying onto the opposite carriageway during a crash, Removable Concrete Barriers can significantly reduce the severity of an accident. Movable Steel Barriers consist of robust movable and transition units providing a containment capacity comparable to normal barriers. Unlike Removable Concrete Barriers which require the assistance of lifting plant for removal and take time for mobilization, emergency openings installed with Movable Steel Barriers can be opened manually and much quicker for the passage of emergency vehicles.
Encouragement and Evaluation
Building on our partnership approach, we are actively heightening our relationships with the Government, the transport sector, road safety organisations and the community. Only with their commitment and support, can we fully maximise our resources and effectiveness. To reinforce our commitment, we will continuously review and evaluate the strategy and assess the performance.
Despite our very best efforts, road safety is something that cannot be practised in isolation. We therefore call upon every single individual in the community to take responsibility for, and work with the Road Safety Council, in creating a safer Hong Kong. By doing so, we not only contribute to the well-being of the community but also create a quality future for our children.
