THKI forges road safety
partnership with bus companies

1 Photo

Franchised bus is one of the oldest modes of transport in Hong Kong, serving over a million commuters every day.

The traffic accident toll involving franchised buses in Hong Kong totals around 2,000 cases a year. In the first seven months this year, there were 350 cases in Hong Kong Island Region, and investigation has revealed that drivers applying brakes abruptly, the so-called "rolling-dice", is one of the main causation factors of these accidents. In view of this situation, Traffic Hong Kong Island (THKI) has enlisted the support of the Citybus (CTB) and the New World First Bus (NWFB) to kick off a yearlong partnership programme for their drivers.

Lectures on road safety

Under the programme, members of the Road Safety Team are conducting a lecture on road safety on the bus companies' Training Day. The lecture outlines the causation factors and traffic regulations, with special emphasis on the offences of drink driving and jumping red light. Safety tips on driving heavy vehicles down long slope are also given during the lecture. The drivers are also given a chance to experience what a Screening Breath Test looks like. The lecture has been conducted for only one month, but the audiences have already shown a great interest and have been forthcoming in expressing their opinions on traffic-related matters.

The Training Manager of CTB/NWFB, Mr Stanley Luk, greatly appreciates the Road Safety Team's lectures, which, he said, are of good value to the Training Day. He also finds the Road Safety Team members very professional in their performances.

Inspiration for training

Noting that THKI's efforts have made his drivers more aware of road safety, Mr Luk said the partnership programme had inspired new ideas for future training plans for his drivers.

THKI hopes that the partnership programme will strengthen the co-operation between the police and the bus companies. Having canvassed drivers' opinions and armed with a better idea of their difficulties on the road, THKI will be in a better position to improve traffic flow, reduce traffic accidents and raise awareness of road safety with enforcement, education and publicity.

Bus companies have drawn inspiration for their driver training plans from the partnership programme
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