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The Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, thanked the Tuen Mun Road Traffic Incident Independent Expert Panel for its thorough study of highway safety conditions and its recommendations on how safety may be enhanced.

"The panel has confirmed that the Tuen Mun Road is intrinsically safe," said Dr Liao. "The traffic signage and road markings along Tuen Mun Road are effective, and the existing parapet design adopted by the Highways Department is in line with international standards.

"We will study the panel's recommendations carefully and consider how best to take them forward."

Dr Liao extended her deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the Tuen Mun Road bus tragedy. She said that apart from offering them immediate relief, it was important to look after their long-term needs.

To this end, the Government had arranged for follow-up care, such as rehousing some families to allow them to better cope with their bereavement. Counselling and medical care had also been made available to those who need them.

Even prior to the release of the panel's recommendations, the Government had been implementing a series of interim highway safety enhancements.

For Tuen Mun Road, the section of parapet at the incident location has been strengthened with additional posts and an extra length of safety barrier has been installed alongside the parapet.

The Transport Department is also conducting a comprehensive safety review for Tuen Mun Road to identify possible safety enhancement measures.

And in light of the July 2003 incident, the Transport Department has asked all franchised bus operators to conduct a comprehensive review of their safety arrangements.

Separately, the Highways Department has worked with the panel to identify a preliminary list of high-priority locations that have characteristics similar to those of the place where the incident occurred. A package of safety enhancement measures will be developed for these priority locations.

Given the importance of driving behaviour in road safety, the Road Safety Council has drawn up its action plan for 2003-04 to include greater emphasis on the driving behaviour of professional drivers and drivers of heavy good vehicles and passenger services vehicles.

The Police have also stepped up their efforts to reach professional drivers by organising road safety seminars and distributing road safety leaflets to heavy vehicle drivers at border crossing points, container terminals and car parks.

Ends/Friday, December 5, 2003

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