Central District Community Service Consultative Council member Chan Iek Cheong urged the government yesterday to raise public awareness of road safety in responding to the increased number of “serious” traffic accidents.
Chan quoted a recent report from the Transport Bureau (DSAT) as noting that the total number of traffic accidents in the first quarter of this year reached 3,113, up to a “certain extent” from the 2,987 accidents in the same period last year, causing three fatalities.
Considering that the number of visitors to Macau has continued to rebound, Chan said, the government should strengthen its dissemination of road safety messages among the general public to remind them of the importance of complying with the city’s road traffic rules. Chan added that as some tourists to Macau may not be familiar with the city’s traffic rules and road conditions, cross-departmental cooperation should be adopted to remind them to pay more attention to road safety when walking around Macau.
In view of the fact that the demand for local public transport continues to rise, Chan urged the government to work with relevant trade associations to strengthen the training of professional drivers such as coach, bus and taxi drivers, while also stressing the importance of safe driving to them.
Meanwhile, fellow council member Tam Chan Lam urged the government yesterday to further increase the number of the police forces’ citywide CCTV surveillance cameras, so as to optimise Macau’s traffic and road network management.
In addition to applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the current surveillance system, he suggested the government consider learning from the mainland’s demerit point system for offences under the city’s Road Traffic Law, aiming to improve the driving habits of local drivers.
Tam also said that for vehicle owners suspected of violating traffic safety, especially professional drivers, consideration could be given to implementing a “supplementary training” mechanism whereby, for instance, drivers who have committed traffic rule breaches must attend a certain number of hours of road safety courses before their driving licence can be reinstated.
Both made their appeals before a regular closed-door meeting at the Patane Activity Centre of the Municipal Market Complex on Avenida de Demétrio Cinatti.
Meanwhile, Wu Hang San, deputy convener of the government-appointed committee, quoted two officials of the Sports Bureau (ID) as saying during yesterday’s closed-door meeting that in response to the 70th Macau Grand Prix (MGP), which will take place on November 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, road repairs on the circuit will be carried out during the upcoming summer holiday, promising to reduce the roadworks’ impact on traffic conditions.
Wu made the remarks during a press briefing after the council’s closed-door meeting.
Government-appointed Central District Community Service Consultative Council Deputy Convener Wu Hang San (centre) and fellow council members Huang Chengbin (left) and Leong Chon Kit pose during yesterdays’ press briefing after the council’s regular closed-door meeting at the Patane Activity Centre.
– Photo: Yuki Lei
