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Following is a question by the Hon Miriam Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 28) :
Question:
Regarding the Driver Improvement Scheme (DIS) implemented by the Transport Department, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers of participants, in each of the past three years, who attended driving improvement courses voluntarily and those who were directed to attend such courses by the court, who had three driving-offence points deducted from their total driving-offence points already incurred upon completion of the courses, and who had incurred driving-offence points within six months, one year and two years after completing the courses (with a breakdown by whether or not they had been disqualified from driving after having incurred 15 or more driving-offence points for committing driving offences during those periods); and
(b) whether it will consider including a road test in the above courses, so as to enhance the effectiveness of DIS; if it will, of the specific contents of the test; if not, how the authorities ensure that the objective of DIS can be achieved?
Reply:
Madam President,
In the past three years, the numbers of drivers who attended driving improvement courses voluntarily or under court orders, as well as those who had three driving offence points deducted upon completion of the courses were as follows:
Number of voluntary Number of participants
Year participants under court order
**** ******************** **********************
Had 3 points Had 3 points
Total deducted Total deducted
***** ************ ***** ************
2004 1,990 1,860 170 160
2005 2,150 2,030 50 40
2006 2,610 2,470 30 20
In the past three years, the numbers of drivers who incurred driving offence points again within six months, one year and two years after completing the courses, as well as those who were disqualified from driving during those periods were as follows:
Accumulated numbers of participants
who incurred driving offence points
again after completing the courses
Year of ***********************************
completion of Within Within Within
the course 6 months 1 year 2 year
************* ******** ****** ******
2004 560 930 1,370
[50] [130] [200]
2005 540 940 Not Applicable
[80] [160] (Note 2)
2006 Not Not Not
Applicable Applicable Not Applicable
(Note 2) (Note 2) (Note 2)
Note 1: Figures in square brackets denote the numbers of participants who were disqualified from driving after incurring 15 points or more.
Note 2: Exact figures are not yet available as the periods (6 months, 1 year and 2 years) following the completion of the courses have not expired.
At present, driving tests for different types of driving licences are very stringent and are effective in ensuring that successful applicants of driving licences have the competence and driving skills for driving the respective types of vehicles. On the other hand, drivers who have incurred driving offence points for contravening traffic offences mostly have problems with their driving behaviour and attitude rather than driving skills or competence. The main objective of the driving improvement courses is to instill road safety awareness among drivers and remind them of the need for proper driving attitudes. Hence, the objective can be achieved through practical talks, video demonstrations and discussions. We have no plans to include road tests in the courses for the time being.
The Transport Department will review the content of the courses from time to time, making reference to overseas experiences and taking into account the practical needs and traffic accident trends in Hong Kong, so as to maintain the quality of the courses and achieve the objective of effectively improving the driving attitude of the motorists.
Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:05
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