Safety drive: Commissioner for Transport Alan Wong, Road Safety Council Chairman Peter Yam and Road Safety Campaign Committee Chairman Lawrence Yu launch the Road Safety Campaign 2007-08.

Hong Kong's road accident death toll dropped to a 49-year low of 144 last year, Road Safety Council Chairman Peter Yam says.

Speaking at the launch of the Road Safety Campaign 2007-08 today, Mr Yam, also the Deputy Commissioner of Police, said Hong Kong's road accident fatality rate is low compared with other major cities.

He said this year's campaign will adopt the theme "Smart Driving with Courtesy" and there will be a series of promotional activities. Among them, a half-hour television special will be aired at 11.05pm on December 11 on TVB-Jade.

The council will continue to join with Government departments, District Councils, transport operators and community groups to drive home road safety messages to the public, he added.