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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, in the Legislative Council meeting today (May 24) :
Question:
Despite police operations against drink driving from time to time, traffic accidents involving drink driving and causing casualties often take place at night and in the early hours. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the number of traffic accidents involving drink driving in each of the past three years; and
(b) the measures taken and to be taken by the government department(s) concerned to combat drink driving?
Reply:
Madam President,
In 2003, 2004 and 2005, there were 106, 97 and 89 traffic accidents with casualties that were caused by drink driving respectively.
The drink driving legislation was introduced in 1995. Under Section 39 of the Road Traffic Ordinance, it was an offence for a person who drove with an alcohol concentration exceeding the prescribed limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. To increase the deterrent effect, we further tightened the prescribed limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood in 1999. When compared with other overseas countries, we are one of the places with the most stringent prescribed limit.
Regarding penalties, according to the existing legislation, a person who is convicted of drink driving is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000, and 3 years' imprisonment, and will incur 10 driving-offence points. The offender will be disqualified from driving for not less than two years for a second or subsequent conviction. If a driver involving in drink driving has caused death of other parties, the driver could be prosecuted for dangerous driving causing death. If convicted, he will be subject to a maximum fine of $50,000, 5 years' imprisonment, 10 driving-offence points, and will even be disqualified from driving for not less than 2 years for the first conviction or not less than 3 years for a second or subsequent conviction. The current penalties in Hong Kong are comparable to those in overseas countries.
The Police have been taking active enforcement actions against drink driving. They are particularly vigilant and would conduct large-scale enforcement operations against drink driving in the night-time and early morning, as well as during festivals and holidays. In fact, the number of drink driving prosecutions increased from 649 in 1996 to 1,335 in 2005. The number of prosecutions in the first 4 months of 2006 already amounted to 448, representing an increase of 15% over the same period in 2005.
Currently, the Police are empowered to require a person to provide a specimen of breath for the screening test if he is involved in a traffic accident, or commits a moving offence or is suspected of drink driving.
Apart from enforcement, public education is equally important. We have been making joint efforts with the Road Safety Council in organising publicity campaigns and talks, and distributing leaflets to motorists and the transport trades. We also broadcast Announcements of Public Interest on the television and radio regularly to highlight the serious consequences of drink driving and remind people not to drive after drinking. The Police also launch publicity campaigns to tie in with their enforcement actions. Apart from distributing leaflets at areas with many bars and restaurants, they also invite members of the public to try the breath test so as to enhance the publicity effect.
We will continue to combat drink driving by stepping up enforcement and carrying out targeted education and publicity activities. On the enforcement front, the Police will pay special attention to drink driving in the night-time and early morning. They will also increase large-scale enforcement operations against drink driving during special festive seasons and during the forthcoming World Cup football matches.
On education and publicity, we will further enrich the module on drink driving in driver training and improvement programmes, and incorporate messages against drink driving in general road safety publicity campaigns. Moreover, since students in tertiary institutions are potential drivers, we will educate them of the dangers of drink driving.
We will also continue to closely monitor the relevant accident and prosecution statistics, as well as keeping in view the measures adopted by overseas countries in combating drink driving effectively.
Ends/Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:45
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