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The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:
To promote elderly pedestrian safety, the Road Safety Council (RSC), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (New Territories North) jointly held a Elderly Pedestrian Road Safety Campaign kick-off ceremony cum bus parade in Yuen Long this afternoon (May 2).
Elderly pedestrian safety is one of the RSC's major road safety concerns. According to police statistics, 57 elderly pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2013, accounting for 67.9 per cent of total pedestrian fatalities. Compared with the figures in 2012, the percentage of elderly pedestrian fatalities has increased by 21.3 per cent.
The ceremony was held at Yuen Long Theatre in Tai Yuk Road, Yuen Long. The event was officiated by the Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee (RSCC), Dr Eric Cheng; District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Edward Mak; Senior Superintendent, Traffic New Territories North Headquarters of HKPF, Mr Martin Cadman; Vice-Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Wong Wai-shun; Assistant District Commander (Administration), Yuen Long District of HKPF, Mr Choy Wai-sum; Chairman of Traffic and Transport Committee of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Luk Chung-hung; Regional Commander of Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (New Territories North), Mr Paul Lau, and Publicity Officer of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Ms Lam Chi-mei.
Chinese traditional opera and drama on the theme of "love yourself, love your family, be a smart pedestrian" were performed at the ceremony to remind elderly pedestrians to follow traffic regulations and to remind road users to be aware of elderly pedestrians.
After the ceremony, all guests and performing artistes toured Yuen Long area in the "Elderly Road Safety Bus" where leaflets and souvenirs promoting road safety were distributed.
Ends/Friday, May 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:31
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