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Fatal and serious traffic accidents hit record low
Fatal road accidents fell 21.8 per cent last year - the lowest figure in 41 years.
Reviewing the 2000 traffic accident situation on February 14, Chief Superintendent (Traffic) William Tang How-kong said fatal incidents fell to 158, from 202 in 1999.
He said the number of accidents causing serious injury also hit a record low at 2,807 - the lowest figure since 1966.
"Despite the drop in casualties, more accidents were recorded - this reflects a continued need to remain vigilant by all parties concerned including drivers, pedestrians and passengers"
However, despite the drop in casualties, there were more accidents.
"Last year, 14,865 traffic accidents were recorded which represented a slight increase of one per cent, from 14,714 cases in 1999.
"This reflects a continued need to remain vigilant by all parties concerned including drivers, pedestrians and passengers," Mr Tang said, adding tailgating remained one of the most common causes of road accidents.
Of the 169 people killed on the roads last year, 94 (55.6 per cent) were pedestrians. The rest were drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and passengers.
On traffic enforcement, Mr Tang said a higher degree of co-operation from motorists led to a fall of 4.35 per cent in traffic enforcement activity last year.
Some 181,379 speeding offences were recorded (up 8.8 per cent), while drink driving showed a significant rise of 21.5 per cent to 1,302, partly due to the lowering of alcohol limits.
Some 19,579 seat belt offences were detected and 768 drivers were caught using hand phones while driving.
 Traffic managers: CSP T William Tang briefs the media with SSP Paul Croft and WCIP Betty Lam |