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The Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, encouraged transport trade members and commercial vehicle drivers to participate in the activities of the Safe Driving and Health Campaign and work together to promote road safety by enhancing the safe driving and health awareness of drivers.
Speaking at the ceremony in support of the ongoing campaign today (February 22), Mrs Yeung said, "A proper driving attitude is very important with a view to achieving safe driving. Traffic accidents are often caused by improper driving behaviour such as speeding, using mobile phones while driving, cutting into lanes indiscriminately and driving inattentively."
She holds the view that commercial vehicle drivers, with extensive driving experience and clear understanding of traffic regulations, are aware of the importance of proper driving attitudes and would drive carefully and pay attention to road conditions.
Mrs Yeung reminded drivers to take enough rest, have regular and timely meals, do exercise and conduct regular body checks to stay physically and mentally fit in order to serve the public.
She also noted that cycling has become increasingly popular and appealed to motorists and cyclists to always pay attention to road conditions and give way to one another so as to avoid traffic accidents.
The Safe Driving and Health Campaign, which aims at enhancing safe driving and health awareness among commercial vehicle drivers, has been held annually since 2010.
The campaign this year has four main themes: not speeding, maintaining good driving behaviour, having drivers and cyclists give way to one another, and being aware of health conditions.
Participating commercial vehicle drivers will not only receive free basic health checks, including physical examination, lipid profiles (including total cholesterol and triglycerides), chest x-rays and fasting blood sugar tests, but can also opt for additional test items, including complete blood count, renal and liver function tests and gout tests, at their own expense.
In addition, the TD has delivered safe driving and health messages to commercial vehicle drivers through radio programmes. The TD has also invited the renowned cartoonist Mr Lee Chi-ching to produce comics and animation to depict the importance of safe driving and healthy living in a lively and vivid way.
Commercial vehicle drivers are also encouraged to take part in seminars and workshops to obtain more information on safe driving and health tips.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Yau Shing-mu; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Tang Kam-moon; the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, Mr Larry Kwok; and the Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee of the Road Safety Council, Dr Eric Cheng.
Ends/Friday, February 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:19
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