Kwiksure Examines Why Drivers Have Fewer Accidents on Hong Kong Island than in the New Territories

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Pacific Prime

Aug 13, 2013, 22:00 ET


(PRWEB) August 14, 2013 -- RTHK reported a small pile up of three cars on the Mai Po stretch of the Castle Peak Road highway in the New Territories on Wednesday 24th July. A few hours later, two tour buses at Disneyland on Lantau Island collided with one another with 20 people suffering minor injuries These are only two examples of the incidents that occur every day in the New Territories. Although accidents do happen on Hong Kong Island as well, they appear to occur less frequently. Kwiksure investigated whether this is really the case and examined the possible reasons behind the difference in accident rates.

This year's traffic statistics from the Hong Kong Police reveal that Hong Kong Island has experienced 1758 traffic accidents with personal injury between January and July compared to 1968 in the Southern New Territories and 2245 in the Northern New Territories. In addition, reports indicated that the number of fatalities were doubled in the New Territories relative to Hong Kong Island.

A senior insurance adviser at Kwiksure's offered several possible reasons why the accident rates are lower on the HK island side. First, the New Territories are significantly larger. The NT have more space and therefore a greater number of residents who are likely to own a car. The Island covers 80.4 km2 whereas the NT total 953.1Km2; that's 10 times more space comparatively.

Parking in the NT is also cheaper, only averaging at around HK$700 per month as opposed to HK$1700 per month on the island, even if it's not in the center of town. These two factors may make Islanders think twice about getting a car given the expense and lack of space.

It can be hard to prove whether or not drivers on the Island are simply more careful than those in the NT. However, Kwiksure has noticed that for those buying car insurance, insurers will generally give discounts on policies to drivers who live on the Island.

Neil Raymond, Pacific Prime, 31131331, [email protected]