LCQ20 : Govt to step up publicity on drink driving

Following is a question by the Hon Li Fung-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 6):

Question:

     Regarding drink driving, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)  of the number of accidents in which casualties of other parties were caused by drunk drivers since 2001, and that of drivers prosecuted for drink driving as well as the prosecution results; and

(b)  whether it will consider increasing penalties for drunk drivers to enhance the deterrent effect; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

     The numbers of drink driving-related traffic accidents in which there were casualties of other parties since 2001 are as follows :

Year                       Number of Accidents
****                       *******************
2001                                42
2002                                64
2003                                79

     The numbers of drivers prosecuted for drink driving and the prosecution results during the same period are as follows:

                   Number of Drivers                   Number of Drivers
Year                   Prosecuted                            Convicted
****              *****************                  ******************
2001                     1,040                                      934
2002                     1,123                                      945
2003                     1,308                                      557

     At present, a driver who is convicted of drink driving is subject to a maximum fine of $25,000, a maximum sentence of 3 years' imprisonment and disqualification from holding a driving licence for such period as the court thinks fit.  Ten Driving-offence Points will also be incurred in his driving licence record.  In case the accident has led to the death of other parties, the driver could be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving.  If convicted, the driver will be subject to a maximum fine of $50,000, a maximum sentence of 5 years' imprisonment, 10 Driving-offence Points and disqualification for at least 2 years on the first conviction or at least 3 years on the second or subsequent convictions.  The above penalty levels are commensurate with those in overseas countries.  We have no plan to raise the maximum penalty level for drink driving.

     We consider that, apart from legislation, public education is most important.  We will step up publicity to remind motorists to refrain from driving after consuming alcohol.

Ends/Wednesday, June 9, 2004