Road Safety Bus meets public with new look
Officiating at the ceremony were Chairman of ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, Mr Paul Theys; Chairperson of Road Safety Publicity Strategy Working Group, Ms June Teng; T HQ Chief Superintendent (CSP) Stephen Verralls; and Senior Engineer of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Mr Yang Wing-fung.
The revamped Road Safety Bus is decked out with a refreshed livery depicting the road environment and some of the most common crossing facilities in Hong Kong. The interior of the bus has also been fully utilised, creating a more spacious compartment for road safety education. Other new features of the bus include a rolling poster light box, driving simulator, pedestrian lights simulator with control box and buzzer, and advanced audio-visual equipment with touch-screen display. The whole revamp project was completed with the support of the Road Safety Council and other organisations.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, CSP Verralls said: "We believe road safety education should begin at an early age and the Road Safety Bus has provided an excellent platform for road safety education for children. Through a safe simulated road environment, attractive decorations and innovative computer games, we hope children and students would get road safety education in an enjoyable atmosphere".
CSP Verralls also pointed out that with the concerted efforts by various stakeholders, the number of fatal traffic accidents in 2009 was the lowest since 1958. He told the many guests attending the ceremony: "While we will continue our effort to enhance the road safety level in Hong Kong, we require participation by all of you, including children. As children are our future masters of society, it is necessary to teach them the concept of road safety as early as possible so that they can share it with others as they grow up." He also called on the gathering to remind their friends and family members, especially the elderly ones, to remain "a smart pedestrian".
Police started using a road safety bus as early as the 1970s to promote road safety to the public, especially children and the elderly. The existing bus was commissioned in 2003, and since then it has conducted numerous mobile exhibitions and publicity campaigns at schools, housing estates, community centres and other outdoor areas, with visitors coming from all walks of life. The revamped Road Safety Bus will continue its mission with renewed vigour.
The
revamped
Road Safety Bus is launched with a bang