29th March 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Transport Department (TD) has released new figures on traffic accidents involving taxis from 2021 to January 2023. According to the data, there were 4,153 cases of traffic accidents involving taxis in 2021, accounting for 23.3% of the overall number of traffic accidents. In 2022, the number decreased to 3,632 cases, accounting for 24% of the overall number, while in January 2023, there were 295 cases, accounting for 23.6% of the total.
The TD also provided the breakdown of the number of traffic accidents involving taxis by age groups of taxis and age groups of taxi drivers. For the age groups of taxis involved in traffic accidents, the figures were 3,418 cases for below 10 years in 2021, 3,095 cases in 2022, and 258 cases in January 2023. The figures for 10 to 19 years were 849 cases in 2021, 642 cases in 2022, and 54 cases in January 2023. The figures for 20 years and above were 319 cases in 2021, 262 cases in 2022, and 21 cases in January 2023.
As for the age groups of taxi drivers involved in traffic accidents, the figures were 73 cases for those below 30 years old in 2021, 68 cases in 2022, and 7 cases in January 2023. For those aged between 30 to 39 years old, the figures were 326 cases in 2021, 301 cases in 2022, and 35 cases in January 2023. The figures for those aged between 40 to 49 years old were 658 cases in 2021, 618 cases in 2022, and 49 cases in January 2023. For those aged between 50 to 59 years old, the figures were 1,457 cases in 2021, 1,088 cases in 2022, and 71 cases in January 2023. For those aged between 60 to 69 years old, the figures were 1,637 cases in 2021, 1,446 cases in 2022, and 130 cases in January 2023. The figures for those aged between 70 to 79 years old were 405 cases in 2021, 431 cases in 2022, and 34 cases in January 2023. Lastly, for those aged 80 years old and above, the figures were 13 cases in 2021, 23 cases in 2022, and 2 cases in January 2023.
The TD reminded the public that as a traffic accident may involve more than one taxi or taxi driver, the total number of taxis or taxi drivers involved in traffic accidents is greater than the total number of traffic accidents involving taxis in the same year.
The government has been closely monitoring the operation of taxis and has implemented various measures to alleviate problems and operational difficulties faced by the industry. The government has also taken steps to attract new drivers to join the taxi industry, such as relaxing the requirement for a commercial vehicle driving licence and enhancing the taxi written test. To enhance safety and quality of taxi services, all applicants for a full taxi driving licence must study and complete the pre-service course at designated pre-service training schools and obtain the course certificate.
Furthermore, the TD has been encouraging vehicle manufacturers to install anti-collision systems on various taxi models to enhance the overall safety standard of the taxi trade and reduce the number of traffic accidents. The government has also been encouraging the trade