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The Police will run a one-week territory-wide pedestrian road safety campaign from tomorrow (April 10) to April 16, 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 to enhance pedestrians¡¦ road safety awareness and urge the public to comply with road traffic regulations.
A Police spokesman noted that common pedestrian offences included disobeying light signal; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge, a pedestrian subway or a pedestrian crossing without using such facilities; and climbing over a kerbside fence or through a central reservation onto a carriageway.
Police figures showed that there were 838 pedestrian casualties from January to March this year, among which 14 persons were killed. Compared with the same period in 2012, there was a decrease of 123 casualties and a decrease of six fatalities. Among the 14 deceased, 10 persons (71 per cent) were aged 60 or above, a decrease of five persons as compared with the same period last year.
Police Report No. 168
Ends/Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:13
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