Territory-wide campaign to promote pedestrian safety

Police will conduct a two-week territory-wide pedestrian road safety campaign from tomorrow (October 7) to October 20. The campaign is aimed at educating pedestrians, in particular senior citizens, on road safety.

During the first week, officers from Police Regional Road Safety Teams will distribute publicity leaflets at about 78 locations in the territory, including traffic accident black spots, to remind members of the public to comply with road safety regulations.

Offenders will be given verbal warnings in the first week while stringent enforcement action will be taken in the subsequent week.

Common pedestrian offences include failing to comply with a light signal; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge or a pedestrian subway without using them; and climbing over a kerbside fence or through a central reservation onto a carriageway.

Police figures show that a total of 63 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the first eight months of this year, an increase of 20 persons compared with the same period in 2006. Among the deceased, 60 per cent were over the age of 60. About 26 per cent of the 9 917 traffic accidents in the first eight months of this year involved pedestrians, leaving 2 599 persons injured.


Police Report No.2

Ends/Saturday, October 6, 2007