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The Police will run a one-week territory-wide pedestrian road safety campaign from tomorrow (November 21) to November 27, with a view to reducing traffic accidents involving pedestrians, in particular senior citizens, through education, publicity and enforcement.
Stringent enforcement action will be taken during the campaign. The Police will issue summons against pedestrians who have jaywalked or committed other serious traffic offences. Verbal warnings will also be given to those who have committed minor traffic offences. Officers from the Police Regional Road Safety Teams will also distribute publicity leaflets at various locations in the territory to enhance pedestrians¡¦ road safety awareness and urge the public to comply with road traffic regulations.
A Police spokesman said that common pedestrian offences included disobeying light signal; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge or a pedestrian subway without using such facilities; and climbing over a kerbside fence or through a central reservation onto a carriageway.
Police figures showed that there were 3 110 pedestrian casualties between January and October 2011, among which 58 persons were killed. Compared with the same period in 2010, there was a decrease of 95 pedestrian casualties (3 per cent) and an increase of one fatality (2 per cent). Among the 58 deceased this year, 41 persons (71 per cent) were aged 60 or above, an increase of two persons (5 per cent) as compared with the same period in 2010.
Police Report No.54
Ends/Sunday, November 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 10:16
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