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LCQ14: Traffic accident black spots
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    Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (July 2):

Question:

    Regarding traffic accident black spots ("TABSs"), will the Government inform this Council:

(a)  of the location of each TAB, as well as the number of traffic accidents and resultant casualties at each TAB in each of the past three years; which of these TABS do not involve road sections with road junctions;

(b)  of the expressways and the road sections without road junctions at which a greater number of traffic accidents or resultant casualties occurred over the past three years;

(c)  whether it has made reference to the criteria and practices adopted in developed countries for classifying TABSs; and

(d)  whether traffic sign posts have been erected at all TABSs to remind drivers to drive with care; if not, of the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a)&(b)The locations meeting the current criteria of traffic accident black spots ("TABSs"), as well as the number of accidents and casualties at these locations in the past three years are set out in detail in the Annex, with a breakdown on locations that do not involve road junctions. According to the statistics, expressways or roads that do not involve junctions and have a greater number of traffic accidents and casualties include Tsing Kwai Highway, Island Eastern Corridor and Tolo Highway. 

(c)  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. 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. In devising the current criteria adopted, TD has made reference to overseas practice. According to the information gathered, there are no common criteria or international standards.  Different places devise their own methods having regard to the local specific circumstances. 

(d)According to TD's experience, erection of "Traffic Black Spot" signs is not a particularly effective means for reminding motorists to drive with care. In view of this, and with a view to achieving the purpose of warning motorists to drive with care and providing motorists with substantive advice, TD has put emphasis on adding warnings and advisory signs, including "Sharp Deviation", "Bend Ahead", "Steep Hill Downwards Ahead", "Reduce speed now", "Pedestrian Crossing Ahead" etc., in accordance with the particular circumstances of each location, so that motorists would have more information and drive with care, thereby enhancing road safety.

    Indeed, our work in investigating traffic accidents and improving road facilities is by no means confined to TABSs. 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 irrespective of whether it is a TABS. In addition, TD and Highways Department will continue to conduct regular inspections on road traffic conditions and facilities throughout the territory.  They will also continue to seek views from District Councils, 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, including erecting appropriate traffic signs to warn motorists to drive with care and to provide advice to motorists.

Ends/Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:50

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