Hong Kong police deploy drones to enhance road safety in accident-prone areas
Drone patrols aim to further deter dangerous driving amid 47 per cent drop in fatal crashes in first seven months of this year
Hong Kong police will for the first time deploy drones to detect traffic violations starting on Sunday, with the aim of enhancing road safety in accident-prone areas.
Police announced the initiative on Thursday during a briefing in which they also revealed that the number of fatal crashes in the first seven months of this year had dropped by 47 per cent compared with last year, totalling 288 cases.
Similarly, the number of people seriously injured in these accidents fell by 45 per cent, from 587 to 321.
Chief Inspector Lam Kai-sum, of the road safety unit at traffic branch headquarters, said the drone deployment plan would start with two accident hotspots.
“We have chosen two hotspots for fatal and serious traffic accidents and will use drones to record footage from above. The aim is to deter drivers from violating the law,” Lam said.
The first trial of the drones will take place on Shek O Road and Route Twisk, both well known for their sharp bends and frequent records of fatal accidents.