The accident involving a truck and a minibus at Pat Heung on Friday, which left five people dead, has led people to reflect on road safety issues in Hong Kong.
Of course, accidents on our roads happen for different reasons. We have to always look at ways of improving road safety and preventing accidents where possible.
Education is always important. With the right campaigns, hopefully people can become more aware and take greater care on our roads. Speeding is an issue and drivers, private and commercial, need to be reminded by the government of the importance of sticking within the designated speed limits. This is crucial for the protection of passengers and pedestrians.
I would like to see instruments installed in all vehicles in Hong Kong which make a beeping sound when they are exceeding the speed limit. They have already been fitted to Hong Kong’s fleet of minibuses and there has been positive feedback, therefore, it is time for them to be fitted in cars. Assuming the technology exists for these beepers to be monitored, then the details of drivers where the beeper went off more than three times a day could be sent to the Transport Department and they could be issued with a warning and might face fines.
Also, penalties for reckless drivers should be increased. Too many motorists feel they can act with impunity. If they face stiffer penalties, they will hopefully drive with greater care.
I would also like to see a system where people have to take a driving test annually. This will force them to revise their knowledge of the Road Users’ Code. This could weed out those who, for whatever reason, are no longer fit to drive. It might then encourage more people to opt for public transport, which is beneficial to our environment.