Hong Kong urged to expand driver-monitoring systems to reduce traffic accidents
Calls come as government studies extending bus monitoring systems to other vehicles and data shows rise in accidents involving elderly taxi drivers
The Hong Kong government should expand its planned mandate for driver-monitoring systems on public buses to other modes of transport and upgrade road infrastructure as part of a multipronged strategy to reduce traffic accidents, industry leaders have said.
The remarks followed authorities revealing in the Legislative Council on Wednesday that they planned to leverage technology to boost road safety. The Transport Department is set to study the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of extending driver-monitoring systems to other types of vehicles.
“The mandatory installation of driver-monitoring systems could eventually be expanded to other private and commercial vehicles,” James Kong, chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motorists Hong Kong, said on Thursday.
He added that a phased approach should be adopted, with passenger-carrying commercial vehicles given priority.
He also suggested that commercial vehicles, in particular, should be equipped with anti-rear-end collision systems to further reduce accidents.
Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung also urged authorities to look beyond newly registered franchised buses.
Fellow lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan said reducing traffic accidents required a comprehensive strategy that went beyond monitoring driver behaviour to include upgrading road infrastructure.