***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:
The Road Safety Council (RSC) 42nd Anniversary Ceremony and Anti-drink Driving, Anti-drug Driving and Driving Attentively Road Safety Campaign launch was successfully held today (November 27) at the Amphitheatre, Stanley Plaza, Hong Kong.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Road Safety Council and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Wong Chi-hung, said that since its establishment in 1973, the Road Safety Council has promoted and enhanced road safety through two subsidiary committees, namely the Road Safety Research Committee and the Road Safety Campaign Committee. In addition, the Council holds various road safety publicity and education campaigns with a view to enhancing public consciousness of road safety.
At present, there are about 792 000 vehicles registered in Hong Kong, representing an increase of 4 per cent as compared with the figure at the same period last year. In the first 10 months of this year, 2 189 persons were killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents, representing a decrease of 4 per cent as compared to 2 275 persons in the same period last year. Nevertheless, 102 persons have been killed in traffic accidents this year, representing an increase of 26 per cent as compared with the number in the same period last year. The number of persons killed in bicycle accidents has increased from six to 10 this year and two persons have been killed in drink driving accidents this year. As there is more road traffic and the roads are busier, the RSC and all counterparts will continue to strive to achieve the vision of "Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal".
According to analysis, traffic accidents are mainly caused by negligence of drivers and pedestrians. The Council is continuing to hold publicity campaigns on anti-drink driving, anti-drug driving, cycling safety, elderly pedestrian safety and driving attentively. This year, the Council has launched a new series of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, posters and leaflets on the theme of "Driving attentively and pedestrians' attentive use of roads", as well as organised a cycling safety campaign and displayed giant promotional banners at footbridges, with an aim of enhancing road safety awareness among the public.
Mr Wong expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Council and the working partners for their contribution and support. He appealed to the public to continue to make joint efforts to realise the vision of "Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal".
Other officiating guests included Assistant Commissioner (Technical Service) of Transport and Member of the Road Safety Research Committee Mr Leung Tak-fai; and the Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee, Dr Eric Cheng.
Ends/Friday, November 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:36
NNNN
