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Following is a question by the Hon Tam Heung-man and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 28):
Question:
As reported, quite a number of road sections at which fatal accidents had repeatedly occurred have so far not been classified as traffic accident black spots ("TABSs") by the Transport Department, and very limited road improvement works have been carried out by the Government at these road sections after the occurrence of accidents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it will review the criteria adopted for classifying a road section as a TABS; if it will, of the details and timetable of the review; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the road sections not classified as TABSs at which four or more fatal accidents had occurred in a period of 12 months; whether the Transport Department will consider classifying such road sections as TABSs and carry out road improvement works there; if it will, of the relevant details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) of the measures in place to enhance drivers' awareness of safe driving so that they will drive with care no matter whether they are driving through a TABS or not?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) We attach great importance to road safety. Investigation of traffic accident black spots (TABSs) is one of the many aspects of our work in improving the road environment for enhanced road safety. The behaviour of road users (including drivers and pedestrians) has been the contributory factor for over 90% of the traffic accidents and road environment is a contributory factor for about 3%. Nevertheless, as long as there is a need to further enhance safety on any road, irrespective of whether it is classified as a TABS, we will examine possible measures for improvement.
The purpose of setting criteria to classify TABS is for carrying out focused studies on locations with more traffic accidents, so that common characteristics of the contributory factors may be deduced, and improvement measures introduced accordingly. According to the criteria currently adopted by the Transport Department (TD), any location with six or more traffic accidents involving pedestrian injuries within a year; or nine or more traffic accidents involving personal injuries within a year, will be classified as a TABS. TD will carry out detailed investigations and analyses of the TABSs to examine if there are common characteristics among the traffic accidents and to derive improvement measures targetting these accidents' possible contributory factors concerning the road environment. TD will continue to monitor closely the distribution of traffic accidents, and will review the criteria for classifying TABSs as and when necessary.
I would like to emphasise that our work in investigating traffic accidents and improving road facilities is by no means confined to TABSs. Neither do we inflexibility first classify a "black spot" according to the criteria before we start our study on improvement measures. Rather, TD exercises flexibility to meet practical needs. For any location with traffic accidents involving serious causalities or causing considerable public concern, any location that has frequent occurrence of a similar type of traffic accidents, or any individual accident which is apparently caused by road environment factors, TD will explore possible measures and submit appropriate improvement proposals to enhance road safety.
In addition, related departments will continue to carry out the following aspects of work:-
(i) TD will continue to carry out other studies, including road safety review for strategic roads (e.g. Tolo Highways, Tuen Mun Highways etc.), and area studies on road safety (e.g. areas in the vicinity of Wan Chai Road);
(ii) TD and Highways Department will continue to conduct regular inspections on road traffic and facilities throughout the territory. They will also continue to seek views from District Councillors, local communities and members of the public through regular meetings with the traffic and transport committees of the District Councils, the government hotline, the Transport Complaint Unit, etc., and take appropriate improvement measures to enhance road safety as and when necessary; and
(iii) The Police will investigate the cause of each traffic accident. If they find that there is scope for improvement to the road environment, they will reflect their views to the relevant departments (such as TD and Highways Department), for follow-up actions, including adding traffic signs and erecting barriers etc.
(b) According to TD's information, there was no location having four or more fatal traffic accidents during a 12-month period in the past three years.
(c) We have all along been adopting a multi-pronged approach to enhance road safety through legislation, enforcement, improvement in traffic facilities and management, as well as publicity and education. We attach great importance to enhancing safety awareness among road users and instilling in drivers a proper driving attitude. We have been working with the Road Safety Council to enhance road safety through on-going publicity and educational activities, instill the concept of "Smart Driving with Courtesy", and foster a courteous and considerate driving attitude. We have been publicising road safety messages through Announcements in the Public Interest on television and radio, leaflets, as well as advertisements at prominent locations and bus body on a regular basis. We have also organised talks, seminars, thematic training courses and road safety workshops particularly for the transport trades to promote road safety and a responsible driving culture.
In addition, we have submitted to the Legislative Council the Road Traffic Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2008 with a view to introducing a series of measures to enhance road safety. Apart from raising the penalties of the offences of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving, we also make legislative proposals to make it a mandatory requirement for offenders of serious traffic offences and repeat traffic offenders incurring 10 or more driving-offence points to attend driving improvement courses in order to instill road safety awareness in these drivers, improve their driving attitude and promote good driving behaviour. The Bill is under active scrutiny by the Legislative Council and we hope that the Bill can be passed soon.
Ends/Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:08
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