Summary of Discussion 135th Road Safety Council Meeting held at 1000 hours on Wednesday 5 Aug 2009

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Vernon Morgan
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1 Summary of Discussion 135th Road Safety Council Meeting held at 1000 hours on Wednesday 5 Aug 2009 Traffic Accident Situation Traffic accident statistics for the first half year of 2009 recorded a respective decrease of 10.9% and 7.9% for casualties and collisions when compared to same period of The number of fatalities and fatal traffic accidents showed a respective decrease of 20.2% and 10.5%. The most common driver contributory factors were: - Driving inattentively - Driving too close to vehicle in front - Careless lane changing Traffic Enforcement Situation The overall traffic enforcement figures on moving offences against drivers for first half year of 2009 showed a decrease of 7.6% while verbal cautions decreased by 12.2% when compared to same period of Increased enforcement was taken against the following offences: - Speeding - Construction and maintenance offences - Road work signage and lighting offences Prosecutions against pedestrians showed a decrease of 9.8%, while verbal cautions increased by 9.1%. Stringent enforcement action would continue to be maintained, targeting offences which were causes or likely causes of traffic accidents. Road Safety Research Committee Report (a) Introduction of Alberta Markings at Roundabouts The research team was carrying out analysis of the questionnaire and video survey

2 - 2- results which would be available later this year for developing the way forward. RSRC discussed and agreed that trial of concentric-spiral road markings should be conducted for three-lane roundabouts. TD would work out proposals for further discussion. (b) Improvement to Emergency Openings (EOs) on Expressways and Trunk Roads Two proprietary products had been identified to meet the requirements of the 16m MSB for EO-cum-CO (i.e. contingency opening for temporary traffic diversion). The pilot installation of 16m MSB at North Lantau Highway was targeted for completion in 3Q/09. (c) Vehicle Reversing TD provided technical advice to OSHC on its subsidizing scheme for RVD installation on about 1,000 HGVs entering construction sites. (d) Tria l of Non-illuminated Retro-reflective Traffic Bollards (NRTBs) The previous trial of NRTBs showed advantages of energy saving and much lower damage rates. RSRC agreed to HyD s proposal of extending the trial to about 800 units in the territory. (e) Review on Identification of Traffic Accident Black Sites TD introduced different options of threshold criteria for classifying accident black sites. TD would review further other possible options of mixed use of different threshold criteria. (f) Safety Concerns of Left Hand Drive (LHD) Vehicles RSRC noted and agreed to the potentially higher risks associated with the use of LHD vehicles in Hong Kong due to reduced sightlines of drivers. While temporary use of LHD vehicles was tolerated, RSRC would not recommend the registration and licensing of LHD vehicles for long term use in Hong Kong on road safety considerations.

(b) Improvement to Emergency Openings (EOs) on Expressways and Trunk Roads Two proprietary products had been identified to meet the requirements of the 16m MSB for EO-cum-CO (i.e. contingency opening for temporary traffic diversion).

3 - 3- Road Safety Campaign Committee Report (a) Road Safety Campa igns 1. Ant i-drink driving Publicity A PR agency had been employed to take up the anti-drink driving publicity for 10 months. Activities include organization of a press conference for the pledging ceremony and the pledging ceremony, some sustainable activities and the production of publicity leaflets, posters and souvenirs. 33 yellow anti-drink driving banners had been mounted on 30 flyovers all over the territory. The banner locations would be quarterly relocated to gain maximum publicity. Relocation was conducted in April and July. Another relocation would take place in October 2009; The existing anti-drink driving TV API featuring the random breath test had been well received and supported by majority of the community since its implementation on RSCC was producing another creative anti-drink driving TV API with emphasis on the serious consequences of drink driving to sustain the publicity effect and to create a stronger impact. The TV API would tentatively be launched in September Around 2,000 Anti-drink driving parking meter stickers had been put up since November As the half-year booking with TD had already expired in April 2009, the secretariat and ISD would arrange the contractor to remove the stickers by phases, the first batch in Kowloon area would be removed in October Produc tion of TV API on give way to emerge ncy vehicles Production of TV API on give way to emergency vehicles was underway. The TV API would tentatively be launched in August / September Road Safety Bulletin The Road Safety Bulletin No. 22 had been distributed to stakeholders in July Topics included the following: - Driving code when seeing emergency vehicles on the road - Driving tips on long steep downhill road cum vehicle maintenance and

33 yellow anti-drink driving banners had been mounted on 30 flyovers all over the territory. The banner locations would be quarterly relocated to gain maximum publicity.

4 - 4- inspection. 4. Production of Road Safety Vision Song MTV Production of vision song MTV, a full version and a Karaoke version, was underway and the MTV would tentatively be launched in August / September (b) RS Proficiency Badges for the Yo uth As at , Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol had organized: training classes with a total of 2,578 students from 70 schools participated, and of which 1,972 students had completed the course. - 8 facilitator courses with 157 facilitators completed the training. To enhance the attractiveness and continuity of the scheme, the WG endorsed and the police organized 9 cycling courses and 66 RSP students successfully completed the training provided by qualified coaches from the Hong Kong Cycling Association in February, March and July Visits to ETCC and police traffic formations would tentatively be arranged in October 2009 as a civic education for the students to learn more about how government departments co-operate to maintain Hong Kong's smooth flow of traffic. (c) Road Safety Coun cil Webs it e As at 30th June 2009, there were a total of 460,896 visitors, a daily average of 2,532 visitors. For the same period, 13 enquiries to RSC website were handled by the Secretariat. Revamping of RSC website would start in October / November 2009 and the new website would be ready early next year.

1,972 students had completed the course. - 8 facilitator courses with 157 facilitators completed the training.

5 - 5- (d) Road Safety Council Partnership Programs 1. Partnership with Tai Po District Council - Summer safe cycling campaign On , RSCC, with strong assistance from the Police, organsied a partnership programme with Tai Po District Council in promoting safe cycling. The campaign consisted of a kick-off ceremony at Tai Po Waterfront Park and a bicycle parade with various cycling associations along Tai Po cycling tracks. Sha Tin District Council also supported the safe cycling publicity by joining the publicity at cycling tracks in Sha Tin area. The safe cycling campaign aimed at promoting the message of the proper use of cycling tracks and wearing of protective helmet etc.. Biking shirts, bells and booklets with safe cycling message were distributed to cyclists along cycling paths. 2. Partnership Programme with Wilson Parking (Hong Kong) Limited Partnership with Wilson Parking had commenced early this year where publicity posters e.g. anti-drink driving posters, were displayed in over 200 Wilson car parks. A safe driving campaign was launched between and where publicity package, including road safety publicity leaflets were distributed to drivers, in particular Wilson Parking's patrons. Drivers answered 3 road safety questions correctly and undertake to support safe driving would be qualified to enter to a lucky draw to win parking coupons. Partnership with Wilson Parking could provide a good podium for publicizing road safety message to private car drivers whom were the major patrons of Wilson car parks.

promoting safe cycling. The campaign consisted of a kick-off ceremony at Tai Po Waterfront Park and a bicycle parade with various cycling associations along Tai Po cycling tracks.

LCQ17: Cycling safety *********************

LCQ17: Cycling safety ********************* Following is a question by the Hon Miriam Lau Kin-yee and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council