Increased penalties see reduction of traffic accidents and casualties

The number of traffic accidents and injuries involving vehicles jumping red lights has been significantly reduced since increased penalties for failing to comply with traffic signals were introduced at the start of this year.

     In the first 11 months in 2006, the average number of traffic accidents involving drivers disobeying traffic signals was 21 cases per month, or 1.7% of the total number of traffic accidents. This is a 25% reduction as compared with 28 cases per month, or 2.2% of the total number of traffic accidents in 2005.

     A Transport Department spokesman said the number of people injured in traffic accidents involving vehicles disobeying traffic signals had also decreased, from the monthly average of 51 in 2005 to 36 in 2006, or a decrease by nearly 30%.

     "Although the number of red light cameras has more than trebled from 28 in 2005 to 96 in 2006, the monthly average number of prosecutions against red light jumping by using cameras specifically was 2,937, representing an addition of 8% as compared with 2,729 in 2005.  The figures show that the increase in penalties has a deterrent effect against red light jumping."

     The spokesman said that with effect from January 1, 2006, the penalties for failing to comply with traffic signals increased from three to five driving offence points, and the fixed-penalty fine had increased from $450 to $600.

Ends/Saturday, December 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:00