Traffic accident toll falls but elderly still vulnerable

Hong Kong has recorded 715 serious traffic accidents in the first three quarters of this year - down by nearly half compared to the same period over the past five years, Road Safety Council chairman Joe Chow Yat-ming said.

However, 31 elderly citizens aged 65 or older were killed in accidents this year, accounting for 61 percent of the overall traffic-related deaths, he said.

Chow, who is also the deputy commissioner of police operations, said the police force will continue to enhance the public's road safety awareness.

"Over the years, the council and various stakeholders had spared no effort to promote road safety, resulting in a sustained decrease in the number of fatal and serious traffic accidents. In the first three quarters of this year, there were a total of 715 fatal and serious traffic accidents, marking a 47 per cent decrease compared to the figures of the same period over the past five years," Chow said yesterday.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the The Road Safety Council 50th Anniversary Keep Your Cool Carnival.

He said the elderly were the most vulnerable groups in traffic accidents, adding that the council will continue collaborating with the Social Welfare Department and the road safety teams to visit elderly centers and neighborhood communities.

The council plans to partner with Radio Television Hong Kong to organize elderly road safety publicity activities, aiming to educate the older generation about the importance of road safety.

Chow urged the public to always care for and remind older adults around them, helping them understand the significance of road safety.

Regarding improvements to legislation, Chow said that the Transport Department has been reviewing and consulting on the requirements for physical fitness certificates for driving license holders to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

The council hopes that related proposals could be submitted to the Legislative Council for review as soon as possible and implemented accordingly.

Cultivating a proper attitude towards road safety among the younger generation is a core focus of the council's work, he explained.

This year, the council has arranged for a drama troupe to perform the Mr Safegg interactive educational drama tour in 25 primary schools across Hong Kong.

It hopes that through the drama performances the students could learn more about the importance of road safety.