Veteran lawmaker José Maria Pereira Coutinho has submitted a written interpellation to the government calling for improvements to the zebra crossings identified as “black spots” affecting pedestrian safety, following the death of a 10-year-old boy who was knocked down and run over by a seven-seater vehicle on a zebra crossing last Wednesday night.
Coutinho, a directly-elected lawmaker, is the long-time leader of the influential Macau Civil Servants Association (ATFPM).
Coutinho signed and uploaded a copy of his written interpellation on his Facebook account on Monday.
In his written interpellation, Coutinho said that the fatal accident, which occurred on the easternmost section of Avenida do Conselheiro Borja (青洲大馬路), has deeply shocked civil society. He noted that many residents flocked to the scene to mourn the death of the boy by offering prayers, flowers, toys, and snacks.
The police said last week that the driver, when approaching the zebra crossing, did not slow down at all and did not give way to the boy, eventually running him over before coming to a stop.
The driver told the police that he did not notice anybody walking across the zebra crossing when he was approaching it.
Coutinho argued in his written interpellation that the tragedy has highlighted a series of long-standing structural traffic issues in Macau, such as the poorly designed locations of some zebra crossings including those set up at road junctions, repetitive roadworks, delays in the implementation of intelligent transport systems, and chronic congestion in key urban areas.
Coutinho also raised concerns about drivers from outside Macau who may be unfamiliar with the city’s traffic regulations, road conditions and driving customs. He said that language and cultural differences could further increase road safety risks.
In his written interpellation, Coutinho asked the government what short- and medium-term measures would be adopted to improve the zebra crossings that have been identified as “black spots” affecting pedestrian safety, including the possible relocation of zebra crossings, replacing them with traffic-light controlled crossings, and the review of the respective road signage for possible improvements, with the aim of ensuring pedestrian safety, particularly children and senior citizens.
He also asked the government what new regulatory, law enforcement and training measures will be introduced for non-local drivers to ensure strict compliance with Macau’s road safety standards and reduce the risk of traffic accidents.
In addition, Coutinho called on the government to outline plans for developing a modern intelligent transport system, including real-time traffic data collection and analysis, better coordination of the operations of traffic signals, and enhanced electronic monitoring, with the aim of easing traffic congestion and improving road safety.
Coutinho, who has been a lawmaker since 2005, noted that enhancing the city’s road safety, including on the city’s bridges, Friendship Bridge in particular, has long been a key public concern, adding that he has repeatedly raised the issue through numerous written interpellations since 2011, including amendments to Macau’s Road Traffic Law and strengthening traffic accident prevention measures.
Family asks public to refrain from organising further memorial activities: school principal
The boy studied at Lin Fong Pou Chai School, located just a stone’s throw from the ill-fated zebra crossing. The school is run by the adjacent Lin Fong Temple.
Meanwhile, Ho Man Fai, principal of Lin Fong Pou Chai School, told local Chinese-language media yesterday that the boy’s bereaved family is currently making funeral arrangements for their beloved son. Ho quoted the family as saying that they have “fully received” the public’s well-wishes, for which they are profoundly grateful.
Ho said that after a meeting between the family and the school, the family is now appealing to the public to refrain from organising further memorial activities to mourn the passing of the boy, expressing their wish to accompany their child on his final journey in peace.
Ho noted that the school and the local government remain in close contact and meet regularly with the family. All donations collected daily are being handed over to the family in full, with formal receipts completed, Ho said.
With members of the public arriving at Kiang Wu Funeral Parlour to pay their respects over recent days, the family has deeply felt everyone’s kindness and thoughts, Ho said.
Ho said that the school will continue to provide emotional counselling services to support students. With the assistance of other counselling organisations provided to the school, the overall situation within the school has largely returned to normal, Ho said.
Ho also said that his school has written to the relevant public entities to highlight the traffic conditions around the school and calls for necessary improvements.
In addition to their heartfelt gratitude to the general public for their care and concern, the family has also expressed gratitude to the government for its support and close coordination with the school, Ho said.
Lin Fong Pou Chai School Principal Ho Man Fai speaks to reporters at the school yesterday. – Photo courtesy of TDM
