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Following is a question by the Hon Chim Pui-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 23):
Question:
It has been learnt that the Police have recently stepped up prosecution against drivers who breached road traffic laws near the exit of the Aberdeen Tunnel towards Stanley. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the area near the exit of the Aberdeen Tunnel towards Stanley is listed as a traffic accident black spot;
(b) whether the aim of the Police's prosecution against offending drivers at the said location is to prevent traffic accidents or to increase government revenue; and
(c) of the number of offending drivers prosecuted by the Police in the area near the Aberdeen Tunnel in each of the past three years, and the approximate average amount of fine in each of these cases?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
(a) According to the records of the Transport Department, the area near the exit of the Aberdeen Tunnel towards Stanley (the section within the Tunnel Control Area from the exit of the Aberdeen Tunnel to Wong Chuk Hang Road) is not a traffic accident black spot.
(b) & (c) We attach great importance to road safety. To enhance safety on our roads, the Police take traffic enforcement actions including instituting prosecution against suspected offenders at different locations frequently to deter and combat inappropriate driving behaviour.
In the past three years, the Police issued a total of 1,122 fixed penalty tickets in the area near the Aberdeen Tunnel for various traffic offences, such as speeding, failing to comply with traffic signs and driving without the necessary lights illuminated. The numbers of fixed penalty tickets issued in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were 529, 341 and 252 respectively, with the fines ranging between $230 and $1,000.
Ends/Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 13:57
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