Selected Traffic Enforcement Priorities (STEP) 2025 was issued on April 29. Relevant memo and annexes are available at POINT.

In 2024, traffic accident (TA) casualties, including those killed and seriously injured, total fatalities and pedestrian fatalities, reached historical lows since 1954. When compared to 2023, the figures decreased from 1 189 to 884 (-26%), 96 to 88 (-8%) and 62 to 42 (-32%) respectively.

Analysis indicates that driving inattentively was the main cause of TA (went up by 6%). The top three vehicle types involved in fatal TA were goods vehicle, private car and motorcycle. Pedestrians (particularly the elderly) accounted for 48% of total fatalities. Cyclist fatalities increased by 50%, with most victims not wearing safety helmets. Additionally, impaired driving by public light bus drivers raised public concerns, among which several arrests were linked to drug and alcohol use. Therefore, enforcement priorities this year were reprioritised. Frontline officers shall suitably exercise discretion when conducting traffic enforcement if the offence is outwith STEP, trivial or subject to other considerable factors as outlined in Force Procedures Manuals 64-03.

Last but not the least, the effectiveness of STEP is measured by outcomes (overall road safety situation) rather than enforcement figures. Regions and Districts should align their traffic plans with STEP 2025 for effective enforcement, utilising innovative methods for maximum impact.