Between 2006 and 2008, an average of 40 per cent of fatal accidents involved goods vehicles. In the first five months this year, 24 goods vehicles accounted for 31 per cent of fatal accidents.

To raise awareness of road safety, Traffic Branch Headquarters (TB HQ) organised a territory-wide road safety quiz for goods vehicle drivers between May 4 and 18 and held the opening and prize presentation ceremony of the Safe Driving Campaign for Goods Vehicle Drivers at Citiwalk, Tsuen Wan on June 6.

Other guests included Chairman of Task Force on Drink Driving of the Hong Kong Medical Association, Dr Choi Kin; Council Member of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Mr Hung Wan-shun; Chairman of Lok Ma Chau China - Hong Kong Freight Association, Mr Chaing Chi-wai, and President of Hong Kong Container Owner Association Limited, Mr Poon Fat-lam.

The main objective of this publicity activity was to reduce traffic accidents involving goods vehicles by raising road safety awareness. Emphasising the significance of this initiative, Mr Demaid-Groves said that in 2008 goods vehicles were involved in 59 fatal accidents. Among the fatalities were 38 pedestrians and 10 goods vehicle drivers. Noting that road safety is a shared responsibility, he said: "We can all contribute to safer roads and safe driving behaviours."

The prize presentation acknowledged 50 goods vehicle drivers who were winners of the road safety quiz on safe driving skills, traffic law and regulations. The quiz drew over 200 participants, including goods vehicle drivers, their families and representatives of goods vehicle associations.

The highlight of the event was a humorous presentation on the legal and medical consequences of drink driving by Dr Choi, Mr Hung and comedian Mr Gill Singh. Finally a lucky draw saw three winners from the audience each receiving an $800 fuel coupon.

Following the opening ceremony was a territory-wide safe driving campaign for public service vehicles and goods vehicles from June 8 to 21, involving education, publicity and law enforcement. Regional Road Safety Teams and members of the Road Safety Patrol distributed educational leaflets to drivers of public service and goods vehicles at the vehicle terminals and car parks throughout Hong Kong during the first week, followed by stringent law enforcement in the second week.

Chief Superintendent Mike Demaid-Groves of Traffic Branch Headquarters presents the Grand Prize to a road safety quiz winner