Police Hope Roundabout Camera Can Trap Bad Drivers

Police are looking to employ video cameras at roundabouts to see if they can collect more evidence against erring drivers.

A three-month trial at a roundabout near Tai Wai MTR Station began on Wednesday, with officers saying this is one of the traffic black spots in New Territories South.

There were 167 accidents at the roundabout at the intersection of Che Kung Miu Road and Hung Mui Kuk Road last year, in which 27 people were injured.

The authorities hope the use of camera evidence will help increase the conviction rate for motoring offences.

Superintendent Michael Yip from the NT South traffic unit said often the testimony of officers who witness the drivers' offences is challenged in courts, leading to some acquittals.

He told RTHK's Timmy Sung that changing lanes without paying attention to other cars is the most common mistake that leads to accidents at roundabouts.

Yip said there were 2,350 prosecutions against careless drivers in NT South in the first quarter of the year, up 50 percent from the same period last year.

He said a one-month campaign against poor driving saw 60 people arrested for offences such as dangerous driving and drink driving. The police also issued 183 summons and 7,094 fixed penalty notices during the period.