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The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:
Hong Kong's road accident fatality rate was the lowest in Asia, the Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee, Mr Lawrence Yu, said today (December 2).
Speaking at a press conference on the 2008 Road Safety Launching Ceremony, Mr Yu said Hong Kong's road accident fatality rate was relatively low compared with other major world cities. Last year, Hong Kong's road accident fatality rate was the seventh lowest in the world.
The number of deaths and severe injuries caused by traffic accidents in Hong Kong was decreasing year by year, he said. The death toll on the roads last year was 160, the third lowest in the past 49 years, which was an encouraging result thanks to the concerted efforts of different sectors of the community and the general public.
Mr Yu, joined by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Road Safety Association, Mr Johnny Leung and the Chairperson of the Road Safety Publicity Strategy Working Group, Mrs Grace Lam, urged everyone to support the road safety publicity event to be held on Sunday (December 7) at Siu San Wan Sports Ground, Chai Wan, and spread the message of road safety.
Mrs Lam said the 2008 Road Safety Launching Ceremony was the largest outdoor promotional event since the Road Safety Council was established in 1973. She said elderly pedestrian safety, cycling safety and anti-drink driving would be the three major publicity efforts this year, with a view to achieving the Road Safety Council's vision of zero accidents on the roads.
Mr Leung said Hong Kong's road accident rate could be reduced if all road users – drivers, passengers and pedestrians – all observed road safety.
Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:21
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