The government-appointed Northern District Community Service Consultative Council held its regular monthly meeting yesterday, during which councillors urged the local government to address zebra-crossing safety.
The nearly two-hour meeting was held at the Patane Activity Centre on Avenida de Demétrio Cinatti (爹美刁施拿地大馬路).
The first part of the meeting was open to the media, with councillors raising various issues one by one, before the proceedings continued behind closed doors.
Last month, a fatal traffic accident occurred on Avenida do Conselheiro Borja (青洲大馬路), in which a 10-year-old boy lost his life on a zebra crossing, sparking widespread public concern, sadness and anger. Councillors pointed out that this was not the first such incident, as a similar fatal zebra-crossing accident occurred on the same road in 2013, showing that Macau’s traffic environment has yet to meet the goal of “safe travel”.
According to a previous news article by the Post, in June 2013, a nine-year-old student was struck by a lorry travelling at high speed while walking across a zebra crossing in Avenida do Conselheiro Borja. The lorry ran over the boy and only came to a stop several metres further down the road. The student was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Council deputy convenor Chang Kam Pui said that although the government has continued to adjust traffic arrangements, stepped up public awareness campaigns, and increased enforcement of traffic regulations over the years, serious traffic accidents are still occurring.
He suggested making the use of internationally recognised visual colour schemes for zebra crossings mandatory. He also recommended installing rumble strips – no more than 0.6 cm high – alongside additional signage in front of crossings, and strengthening road lighting, particularly under flyovers.
Councillor Ip Weng Hong cited data from the Public Security Police (PSP), indicating that 247 cases of failing to give way to pedestrians at crossings were recorded between January and April this year – an increase of 17.62 per cent compared with the same period last year. He recommended accelerating the resumption of the legislative amendment process for the Road Traffic Law, establishing a more rigorous legal framework, and exploring the introduction of AI enforcement systems to support traffic policing through new technology.
Fellow councillor Cheang Hoi Fai also pointed out that, as of May 27, the number of traffic violations this year involving failure to give way at zebra crossings had reached 326, a sharp increase of 32 per cent compared with the same period last year. He recommended accelerating the deployment of technology-based enforcement, introducing AI-powered 24/7 surveillance systems to tackle violations, installing more pedestrian crossings with all-directional phasing*, and increasing penalties to deter dangerous driving at its source.
‘Tourism & Leisure Bus’ carries 7,800 passengers
During the post-meeting press briefing, the council’s deputy convenor, Chan Ian Ian, cited a statement released by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) during the closed-door session regarding the results of the trial run of the government-initiated “Tourism & Leisure Bus” programme.
According to Chan, the bus programme, which got off the ground on April 25, operates three routes. As of May 31, a total of 7,847 passenger trips had been recorded, of which 2,078 passengers alighted at community bus stops**. The stops in Zape, Hong Kung Temple Square, and Rotunda de Carlos da Maia (colloquially known as “Three Lamps”) were the most popular.
Chan added that during the trial period, there was no noticeable increase in traffic pressure across the various districts, nor were there any reports of overcrowding or poor environmental hygiene. The bureau will continue to gather public feedback and refine the scheme’s arrangements, with the aim of guiding tourists into local communities and driving business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), she said.
* This is the technical term for a traffic signal cycle where all vehicular traffic stops completely, allowing pedestrians to cross in every direction at once – including diagonally. The arrangement is also known as scramble crossings. – Gemini
** A community bus stop generally refers to a designated stopping point for a local, specialised bus service rather than a standard, main-line city bus. – Gemini
Northern District Community Service Consultative Council Deputy Convener Chan Ian Ian (right) and fellow councilor Chan Ka In look on during yesterday’s press briefing after the government-appointed council’s closed-door meeting at the Patane Municipal Market Complex. – Photos: Armindo Neves
A woman leaves a floral tribute on the pavement next to the zebra crossing on Avenida do Conselheiro Borja near its junction with Avenida do Almirante Lacerda on May 28, where a 10-year-old boy died after being hit by a car on the day prior.
