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The Fire Services Department (FSD) will launch the first phase of its Driving Video Recording System (DVRS) trial scheme tomorrow (August 8). The system will record road conditions during traffic incidents involving FSD vehicles for analysis and training as well as to serve as evidence if needed, and the first phase of the trial scheme will last for six months.
A spokesman for the FSD said today (August 7) that, given the increasing demand for emergency services, heavier road traffic and a more complicated traffic network in Hong Kong, the number of traffic accidents involving FSD vehicles has increased, from 248 in 2008 to 471 in 2012 and 395 in 2013.
Traffic accidents may result in injuries to the passengers of the vehicles (including FSD staff) and other road users. Delays may also be caused to FSD vehicles on the way to providing emergency services, thus affecting the safety of those in need of help and the efficiency of emergency operations.
"The cameras of the system will undoubtedly help reduce blind spots to enhance safe driving. In the case of a traffic incident, the video footage can assist in investigations by the Police and the department into the cause of the incident. Once the cause of the incident is identified, the FSD can devise appropriate driver training to improve the skills and responsiveness of staff. Lastly, in the case of a road user failing to give way to an FSD vehicle resulting in an unnecessary delay in reaching the scene of an emergency, the video footage will assist in the Police's investigations and serve as evidence," the spokesman said.
Before implementing the trial scheme, the FSD made reference to overseas experience, and the staff side was also widely consulted at meetings of various levels in various divisions within the department.
In the first phase of the trial, six fire appliances comprising two hydraulic platforms, one major pump, one light rescue unit, one turntable ladder and one multi-purpose van will have the system installed. The system on each vehicle has five cameras (one at the front, one at the left side, one at the right side and two at the rear). Prominent signs are displayed on the vehicles so that other road users will notice that the vehicles are fitted with the system. (Please refer to Annex 1 on the positions of the five cameras and Annex 2 on the DVRS sign.)
The DVRS will only capture views outside the vehicle and will not film the driver or passengers inside the vehicle. There will be a video recording function, but no audio recording function.
The DVRS will be activated automatically once the engine of the vehicle has been started via the ignition key and will stop once the engine is stopped. The system will record views captured by four cameras. (When the vehicle reverses, the reversing camera will be activated and begin recording. The reversing camera and the front-view camera will not operate at the same time.) The images recorded will be stored in a built-in data memory card which can store footage up to five hours in length. When the memory capacity is full, subsequent video recorded will overwrite earlier footage. The data memory card of the DVRS will be locked and only authorised persons will be able to retrieve and review the memory card and handle the video information. The memory card will only be able to be retrieved using the special tools provided by the system's producer so as to prohibit any unauthorised access.
"Once an FSD vehicle with the system installed is involved in a traffic incident, we will retrieve and retain the relevant video footage for investigation by the Police and the department into the cause of the incident, as well as for analysis purposes with a view to improving the driving skills of staff. All the video clips will be destroyed upon completion of the above and any subsequent legal procedures. In cases in which some of the video footage is considered suitable for driver training purposes, it will be retained for such use after removing images that involve personal data," the spokesman said.
"We have consulted the Department of Justice and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong on the proposed trial scheme and have confirmed that the scheme does not contravene relevant legislation. We have also devised a mechanism and guidelines to ensure the proper handling and disposal of the video footage.
"Details of the trial scheme will be uploaded to the FSD's homepage and the FSD's intranet for the information of the public and FSD personnel."
The spokesman added, "The FSD will conduct a review after the trial to determine the way forward. We will also continue to listen to views of staff at different levels and the public, with a view to refining various arrangements of the trial scheme."
Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:26
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