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The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:
To promote elderly pedestrian safety, the Road Safety Council (RSC) joined with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (New Territories North) in holding the Elderly Pedestrian Road Safety Campaign Kick-off Ceremony cum Bus Parade in Yuen Long today (May 24).
Elderly pedestrian safety is an issue of concern for the RSC. According to police records, 47 elderly pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2012, accounting for 66 per cent of total pedestrian fatalities. This was a 6 per cent decrease compared with the figure for 2011.
The ceremony was held at Yuen Long Theatre on Tai Yuk Road in Yuen Long. Officiating guests included the Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee (RSCC), Dr Eric Cheng; District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Edward Mak; Commissioner of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Mr Robert Chui; Chief Superintendent, Traffic Branch Headquarters of HKPF, Mr Stephen Verralls; Senior Superintendent, Traffic New Territories North Headquarters of HKPF, Mr Chu Hon-keung; Vice-Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Wong Wai-shun; Divisional Commander (Yuen Long) of HKPF, Mr Wong Yiu-ming; Deputy Regional Commander of Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (New Territories North), Mr Lai Tin-cheung; and Chairman of the Traffic and Transport Committee of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Luk Chung-hung.
During the ceremony, singing and drama performances took place on the theme of "love yourself, love your family, be a smart pedestrian" to remind elderly pedestrians to adhere to traffic regulations and road users to take care of elderly pedestrians on the road.
After the ceremony, all the guests and performing artistes boarded the Elderly Road Safety Bus to visit the Yuen Long area and distribute leaflets and souvenirs. The response from the public was overwhelming.
Ends/Friday, May 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:00
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