Operation against inattentive driving starts
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During the operation, stringent enforcement action will be taken against inattentive driving-related offences, such as careless driving, speeding, disobeying traffic signals, drink or drug driving, and using handheld telecommunication equipment whilst driving, with a view to raising drivers’ awareness of road safety.
Police figures showed that there were 5,735 casualties involving driving inattentively in 2017, of which 608 persons sustained serious injury and 50 persons died. This accounted for 29 per cent of the total traffic casualties.
Police appeal to drivers to pay heed to the following areas:
(1) Stay focused
Drivers should stay focused and distractions should be avoided. Drivers should not use mobile phones nor attempt to do other tasks when driving, such as eating or drinking.
(2) Stay alert when starting vehicles
Drivers should check around their vehicles for obstructions and pedestrians before they start driving. Drivers of larger vehicles, such as buses or goods vehicles, should pay extra attention as there are more and greater “blind spots”.
(3) Defensive driving
Drivers should at all times pay attention to their speed and position on the road to see if there are potential hazards posed on other vehicles or pedestrians. They should ensure that they can react in time under different circumstances.
For more road safety information, please visit the Police website: www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/05_traffic_matters/enforcement.html.
Ends/Thursday, March 29, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:14
Issued at HKT 19:14
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