Territory-wide campaign to promote pedestrian safety
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Police will launch a territory-wide pedestrian road safety campaign from tomorrow (September 20) to September 30. The 11-day campaign is aimed at educating pedestrians, in particular senior citizens, on road safety before taking enforcement action against offenders.

During the first four days, officers from Police Regional Road Safety Teams will distribute publicity leaflets at 72 locations in the territory, including traffic accident black spots, to enhance pedestrians' road safety awareness and appeal to the public to comply with road safety regulations.

Offenders will be given verbal warnings in the first four days while enforcement action will be taken in the subsequent seven days.

A Police spokesman said that common pedestrian offences included failing to comply with a light signal on a light signal crossing; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge or a pedestrian subway other than using such facilities; and climbing over a kerbside fence or through a central reservation onto a carriageway.

Police figures show that a total of 64 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the first eight months of this year, an increase of one person compared with the same period last year. Among the deceased, 66 per cent were over the age of 60. About 25 per cent of the 9 636 traffic accidents occurred in the first eight months of this year involved pedestrians, causing injuries to 2 535 persons.

Police Report No.4
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Friday, 19 September 2008
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