Territory-wide operation to promote pedestrian safety
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     The Police will run a one-week territory-wide pedestrian road safety operation from tomorrow (May 20) to May 26, with a view to reducing traffic accidents involving pedestrians, in particular senior citizens and students.
 
     Stringent enforcement action will be taken during the operation. The Police will issue summons against pedestrians who have blatantly jaywalked or committed other serious traffic offences.
 
     Officers from the Police Regional Road Safety Teams had distributed publicity leaflets at various locations in the territory prior to the operation period 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 signals; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge, 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 from January to March 2016, there were 811 pedestrian casualties with ten fatalities. Among the deceased, five were aged 65 or above. Comparing with the same period last year, the number of pedestrian casualties, fatalities and fatalities (aged 65 or above) decreased by 63, ten and six respectively.
 
     The Police will continue to promote and disseminate road safety messages to members of the public, in particular senior citizens, through publicity and education. For more road safety information, please visit the Police website: www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/05_traffic_matters/enforcement.html.

Ends/Thursday, May 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:18

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