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Safety blitz on 'worsening' KW roads
 Tempting fate: Foolish jaywalkers risk their lives in Mong Kok |
Kowloon West Traffic are launching a massive campaign to thwart increasing casualties on the Region's roads.
The operation will run throughout March focusing on reducing accidents particularly at blackspots along the Nathan Road corridor, through education, publicity and prosecution.
Officers will increase enforcement action along the road, the worst area for accidents in the Region seeing 300 incidents involving injuries last year, the worst in the last four years. Of the 60 blackspots in the Region 12 were along Nathan Road, including its junctions with Mong Kok Road, Waterloo Road and Argyle Street.
From October 1998 to September 1999, 185 casualties (49 per cent) were vehicle passengers, while 166 (31 per cent) were pedestrians. Among the casualties, 70 people (22 per cent) were jaywalkers while 69 people (21 per cent) were bus passengers who lost their balance. Of the casualties, most victims were 16 to 30-years-old, while most accidents involved public buses. Jaywalking accounted for 66 accidents (22 per cent).
T KW Senior Superintendent Mark Buxton said apart from rigorous enforcement action, officers would erect warning notices at major junctions reminding drivers and pedestrians to strictly observe traffic regulations.
"More cameras will also be installed to detect vehicles jumping red lights," he said.