New 'traffic cops' on highway duty
Traffic New Territories North (T NTN) recently recruited two new "officers" in an effort to enhance driving behaviour along almost 66 km of SRN carriageway. Capable of being deployed for up to 12 hours daily, seven days a week without complaint or even a meal break, they will be carefully observing driving habits at accident blacksites and attempting to educate motorists to slow down, maintain a safe distance and drive carefully.
A review of traffic accidents recently occurring in NTN revealed a significant increase in accidents occurring at or close to the numerous road works along Tolo, Fanling and Tuen Mun highways. With many of these works associated with a road widening project and set to continue for some time, and in an attempt to address this accident phenomenon, Enforcement and Control (E&C) T NTN have been exploring a number of educational measures to get motorists to pay more attention to their driving manners, including the use of road safety banners and static mobfix vehicles. However nothing appears to have a greater effect on driving behaviour than the physical presence of a uniformed traffic officer. With this in mind, an initiative was taken to create Traffic Police models to reinforce road safety messages at key locations.
Working in conjunction with contractors to further improve the safety of road works sites for both the motoring public and site staff, E&C T NTN began placing the Traffic Police models at conspicuous yet secure locations within works areas along the SRN on August 30.
Commenting on the initiative, Senior Superintendent Kaiser Ng said: "The sole objective is to enhance road safety. The Traffic Police models are intended as an educational tool that is not meant to fool anyone but merely to remind drivers of their responsibility to drive safely at all times."
The idea of utilising Traffic Police models as a public educational tool is not a new concept in fighting crime or promoting road safety, and has also been used by overseas police forces for many years. Indeed Hong Kong formerly tried out something similar to deter shoplifting in convenience and retail stores. The Traffic Police models, measuring six-feet in height, are images of operational E&C officers and are being deployed daily at different locations throughout NTN Region.
The Traffic Police models
"on duty" on Tolo Highway