****************************************************
The Police will run a one-week territory-wide pedestrian road safety campaign starting from tomorrow (December 7) to December 13, 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 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 3 174 pedestrian casualties between January to October this year, among which 58 persons were killed. Compared with the same period in 2011, there was an increase of 30 casualties (one per cent) and a decrease of two fatalities (three per cent). Among the 58 deceased this year, 37 persons (64 per cent) were aged 60 or above, a decrease of six persons (14 per cent) as compared with the same period last year.
Police Report No. 131
Ends/Thursday, December 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:34
NNNN
