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Police will educate pedestrians on road safety before taking enforcement actions against offenders during a two-week territory-wide campaign.

Comprising the current week of on-street education and the following week of strict enforcement, the two-phased Campaign will last until August 23.

The Pedestrian Road Safety fortnight, now in full force, is rolled out in view of the rising number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents during the first six months of this year, which saw an increase of 31 per cent to 55 when compared with the same period in 2002. About 30 per cent of the total of 6,897 traffic accidents during the first six months of this year involved pedestrians, which resulted in 2,165 casualties.

During the current week, officers from Police Regional Road Safety Teams and members of the Road Safety Patrols will distribute publicity leaflets and souvenirs at over 90 locations in different districts including accident black spots to enhance pedestrians' road safety awareness and appeal to members of the public to take good care of children.

Common pedestrian offences include failing to comply with a light signal on a light signal crossing; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge/pedestrian subway other than by means of the footbridge/subway; and climbing over/through kerbside fence/central reservation onto a carriageway.

Offenders will be given verbal warnings this week while stringent enforcement action will be taken next week against those who fail to comply with traffic laws.

Apart from educating pedestrians on road safety, Police also conducted a safe cycling campaign in the past two weeks to enhance cyclists' safety awareness. During the enforcement week, a total of 748 summonses were issued to cyclists for various offences.

Police Report No.2

Issued by PPRB

End/1200 hrs, Tuesday, August 12, 2003 (KW/LC)

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