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The Police will run a one-week territory-wide pedestrian road safety campaign from tomorrow (June 11) to June 17, 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 said that common pedestrian offences included disobeying light signal; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge, a pedestrian subway or 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 1 411 pedestrian casualties from January to May this year, among which 19 persons were killed. Compared with the same period in 2013, there was a decrease of 80 casualties (-5%) and a decrease of seven fatalities (-27%). Among the 19 deceased, 12 persons (63%) aged 60 or above, a decrease of seven persons (-37%)as compared with the same period last year.
Ends/Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:57
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