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The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:
The Chairman of the Road Safety Council and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Xavier Tang, said that today (November 20) marked the launch of the Road Safety Council's Elderly Pedestrian Safety Day.
Speaking at the Road Safety Council Annual Ceremony 2011 cum Elderly Pedestrian Safety Day, Mr Tang said that elderly pedestrians were the most vulnerable group of road users and would remain a focal point of attention for the Council. The Road Safety Council had therefore organised a series of education and publicity activities to raise public awareness of elderly pedestrian safety.
After the ceremony, the Police and members of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol handed out leaflets and souvenirs at various locations across the territory to help enhance public awareness of elderly pedestrian safety.
In addition, Mr Tang said that the safety of recreational and occupational cyclists continued to be a source of concern. The Road Safety Council has consequently enhanced its efforts to remind the public that cyclists on the road are subject to the Road Traffic Ordinance and have the same responsibilities as other drivers. Nonetheless, while driving, motorists should take special note of cyclists so as to avoid accidents.
Mr Tang added that a newly produced set of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest on safe cycling would be launched in the near future. He called on the public to make concerted efforts in enhancing road safety so as to maintain Hong Kong's status as having one of the safest road networks in the world and to take a step closer to the vision of "Zero accidents on the road, Hong Kong's goal".
Deputy Commissioner for Transport, Mr Ching Kam-cheong, and Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee, Dr Eric Cheng, also officiated at the ceremony.
Ends/Sunday, November 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:31
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