Paul Zimmerman 司馬文 - Southern District Councillor 南區區議員
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Traffic accident at zebra crossing outside Bel-Air Phase 1&2 貝沙灣一二期對出斑馬線發生交通意外

29/12/2020

 
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Zebra crossings are wonderful in countries where they are respected. Where a driver stops when a pedestrian approaches the crossing. In Hong Kong, it appears we have given up on zebra crossings. They are sparsely used. As a result drivers don’t understand how to use them. The Transport Department prefers using cautionary crossings (“Look Left” or “Look Right” markings on the road) whereby the responsibility for crossing safely is entirely with the pedestrian.

Last night around 6:15pm, a pedestrian was hit and injured by a vehicle at the zebra crossing of Cyberport Road outside Bel-Air Phase 1&2. My heart goes out to everyone involved. We have spoken with the Police and Transport Department this morning about the accident. 

This is not the first accident at this crossing. Improvements have been made. In 2014, we narrowed the carriageway, improved road markings and signages. The only improvement not yet made is a speed table, the raising of the crossing to force vehicles to slow and to improve visibility. This common design in other countries is part of a trial scheme in Shatin, but not yet approved for roll out.

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In the past, residents did not favour traffic lights as this may impact traffic flow and they emit audible sounds. We suggested that the Transport Department increase lighting requirements for crossings by looking at examples from Europe. The response was that 'adequate lighting has been provided and there is no need to provide dedicated light to highlight pedestrian crossings'. I disagree. 

We appear to run out of options. Either the crossing is upgraded to a push button (pelican) traffic light crossing, or downgraded to a ‘cautionary crossing’(example). The expectations and experience with zebra crossings varies, and that is where the danger lies.
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Survey Results 問卷結果
斑馬線於外國受行人歡迎,主要原因是駕駛者會停下來讓行人過馬路。然而,香港的文化及駕駛態度並不一樣,司機忽略斑馬線的使用守則,惡性循環下令斑馬線不被重視,多年來亦沒有再出現新的斑馬線。運輸署偏好採用「行人輔助線」過路處,即非行人優先的過路處。

昨晚6時15分左右,一名行人於貝沙灣一二期對出斑馬線過馬路時遭車輛撞倒,需送院治理,我在此祝願傷者早日康復。今早,我們已聯絡警方及運輸署商討這宗交通意外。

這個斑馬線並非第一次發生交通意外。2014年我們將過路處的行車路面收窄,改善了路面標記及路牌等。尚未進行的改善措施包括增設拱起的減速平台,促使駕駛者進入斑馬線前減速,這種外國流行的設計現屬先導計劃,於沙田試行,暫時仍在檢討階段。

以往居民對增加設交通燈有不同意見,有人擔心交通流受影響及交通燈的聲音於深夜時分變得明顯。我們早前向運輸署提出應仿效歐洲做法,於過路處增設專用照明系統,然而他們回應指「照明應已足夠,無需設置額外照明設施 」,我並不同意。

剩餘方案看來並不多:要不將斑馬線改為按制式交通燈過路處,或降格為非行人優先的「行人輔助線」過路處(例子)。每位行人及駕駛人士對斑馬線均有不同的經歷及期望,這就是危險所在。


Illegal racing, speeding, noisy engines 非法賽車、超速駕駛及嘈吵引擎聲

11/12/2020

 
Complaints over racing, speeding and noisy engines have been on the increase, especially with the cooler weather. Reports of late night or early morning racing during the weekend have been passed to the Police including specific information provided by residents. Last Sunday, the police carried out an operation at Victoria Road near Sassoon Road and towed two vehicles away for suspected unauthorised modifications. We will continue to pass your information (date, time, location, number of vehicles) to the Police. Pictures and video would be helpful, but we understand this may not be easy. 

最近兩個月非法賽車、超速駕駛及嘈吵引擎聲的投訴有所增加。我們多次將居民的報告轉告警方,發生時間多數為週末的清晨時分。上星期日警察交通部於域多利道近沙宣道進行反超速行動,期間兩架車輛懷疑被非法改裝,已被拖走作進一步檢驗。我們會繼續將大家提供的情報(日期、時間、地點、車輛數目等)轉交警方以作跟進,如有相片或影片更佳。

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