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Following is a question by the Hon Bernard Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Treasury, Miss Denise Yue, in the Legislative Council today (June 7):
Question:
It has been reported that traffic accidents involving Government vehicles are on the rise. Regarding insurance coverage for Government vehicles, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of traffic accidents involving Government vehicles over the past three years, with a breakdown by departments and by whether casualties were involved;
(b) of the total amount of compensation paid in the last three years to victims of traffic accidents or their family members; and
(c) whether it will consider taking out third-party insurance cover for Government vehicles; if not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
With regard to part (a) of the question, there were 1,454 traffic accidents involving government vehicles in 1997, 1,520 in 1998, and 1,511 in 1999.
With regard to part (b) of the question, the total amount of compensation paid in the last three years to victims injured in traffic accidents or their family members is $1.15 million in 1997, $9.99 million in 1998 and $18.64 million in 1999. Naturally, other than the number of accidents involving casualties, the amount of compensation payable in a year is determined by the severity of injuries sustained by the victims.
With regard to para (c) of the question, according to Section 4 of Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Ordinance (Chapter 272), the Government is not required to insure its vehicles against third-party risks. At the moment, we have no plans to take out third-party risk insurance cover for government vehicles. The present arrangement whereby Government underwrites the financial liability arising from traffic accidents involving its vehicles is considered more cost effective than paying insurance premium for such third-party liability.
End/Wednesday, June 7, 2000
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