I refer to Hugh Tyrwhitt-Drake's letter about traffic congestion arising from accidents involving no personal injuries ('New law needed to reduce congestion', South China Morning Post, February 4). Both the Road Users Code issued by the Transport Department and the 'Important Notes - If You Are Involved in a Traffic Accident' issued by the traffic police, have clearly set out the general guidelines on what drivers should do in the case of a traffic accident. Drivers are advised not to leave their vehicle on the road obstructing other traffic and thereby risk the possibility of another accident if another vehicle collides with it. If no personal injury is involved in a traffic accident, drivers are advised to leave the scene after exchanging personal particulars. Sometimes the concerned drivers may fail to reach an agreement and report the accident to the police with a view to claiming damages. The police are committed to arrive at the accident scene as soon as possible upon receipt of a report. Their performance pledge for responding to emergency 999 phone calls in Hong Kong and Kowloon is nine minutes and for the New Territories 15 minutes. Last year the police were able to fulfil the pledges in more than 98 per cent of the Hong Kong and Kowloon cases and more than 99 per cent of the New Territories cases. Police officers arriving at the accident scene will first secure the location to ensure there has been no personal injury and to make sure no further accident occurs. The drivers concerned will then be asked to move their vehicles to the roadside if they have not done so, to ensure oncoming traffic is not obstructed. The officer will then make the relevant inquiries. If either of the parties raises complaints against the other party, the police force's Accident Investigation Unit will follow up the case. The existing arrangements offer officers flexibility when dealing with traffic accidents. We do not believe that a new law, in this respect, is necessary. The administration will continue to carry out publicity and education to remind drivers to move their vehicles to a safe place at the roadside in order not to obstruct other traffic where they have been involved in a traffic accident involving no personal injury. I must reiterate that police try to get to the scene of an accident as quickly as possible and handle each case efficiently. KARYN CHAN for Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
