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The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, encouraged transport trade members and commercial vehicle drivers to participate in the activities of the Safe Driving and Health Campaign and work together to enhance road safety by raising professional drivers' awareness of safe driving and maintaining good health conditions.
Professor Cheung said today (November 21) at the ceremony today in support of the ongoing campaign that the number of deaths in traffic accidents was 82 in the first 10 months of this year, a decrease of 21 compared with the same period last year. The total number of casualties in traffic accidents had also decreased by 700 to 16 400 in the first 10 months of this year when compared with the corresponding period last year.
He noted that the legislative amendments introduced in 2010 and 2012 to combat drink driving and drug driving respectively had also begun to produce results with the number of arrests related to the two offences decreasing. He reminded members of the public not to drive after drinking or taking drugs under any circumstances.
In addition, Professor Cheung pointed out that a proper driving attitude is essential to safe driving. He called on drivers to pay attention to the road situation and not to use mobile phones while driving to prevent traffic accidents from happening.
He also reminded drivers that they should at all times stay alert to other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, and give way to one another. Cyclists should also put on safety gear and abide by traffic rules and signs to avoid accidents.
This is the sixth consecutive year that the Transport Department has organised the Safe Driving and Health Campaign. The campaign aims to promote road safety by enhancing safe driving and health awareness among commercial vehicle drivers through a series of promotional activities.
The campaign this year has four main themes: not driving after drinking or taking drugs, observing good driving attitude and behaviour, respecting other road users, and maintaining good health conditions.
Participating commercial vehicle drivers can enjoy free health checks at five designated health check centres in the territory. They are also encouraged to take part in seminars and workshops to obtain more information on safe driving and health tips.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, Mr Larry Kwok; the Chairman of the Panel on Transport of the Legislative Council, Mr Michael Tien; and the Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee of the Road Safety Council, Dr Eric Cheng.
Ends/Friday, November 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:16
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