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The Police will run a one-week territory-wide pedestrian safety campaign starting tomorrow (March 1), with a view to reducing traffic accidents involving pedestrians, in particular senior citizens.
Officers from the Police Regional Road Safety Teams will distribute publicity leaflets at various locations to enhance pedestrian road safety awareness and urge the public to comply with road traffic regulations.
Summons will be issued against pedestrians who have jaywalked or committed other serious traffic offences. Verbal warnings will also be given to those who have committed minor traffic offences.
A Police spokesman said that common pedestrian offences included disobeying light signal; crossing within 15 metres of a footbridge or a pedestrian subway without using such facilities; and climbing over a kerbside fence or through a central reservation onto a carriageway.
Police figures revealed that there were 3 840 pedestrian casualties in 2011, in which 72 persons were killed. Compared with 2010, it saw a decrease of 58 pedestrian casualties (1%) and an increase of three fatalities (4%). Among the 72 deceased in 2011, 50 persons (69%) were aged 60 or above, an increase of two persons (4%) as compared with 2010.
Police Report No. 186
Ends/Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:18
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