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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Cheng and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 7) :
Question:
With effect from July 1, 2000, a driver is prohibited by law from using a mobile telephone, other telecommunications equipment or any accessory to them while holding it in his hand when the vehicle being driven by him is in motion. However, there is currently no similar legislation prohibiting a pedestrian from doing the same while he is crossing a road. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of traffic accidents involving pedestrians who were crossing roads in each of the past three years and, among such accidents, of the percentage of those in which the pedestrians involved were using a mobile telephone or listening to the radio or music with earpieces when the accidents took place;
(b) whether it has studied if legislation can be enacted to prohibit a pedestrian from using the above equipment while crossing a road; and
(c) whether, apart from enacting legislation, it has other measures to reduce the number of such traffic accidents?
Reply :
Madam President,
There has been a downward trend in the number of traffic accidents involving pedestrians in recent years. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, there were 1,460; 1,418 and 1,194 traffic accidents involving pedestrians crossing roads. We do not have the exact number of accidents in which the pedestrians involved were using mobile phones or earphones.
Statistics indicate that over half of the pedestrians knocked down by vehicles when crossing roads were heedless of the traffic conditions. Apart from using mobile phones and earphones, there were many factors contributing to such behaviour. Therefore, we have not examined the use of legislation to prohibit pedestrians from using the above equipment when crossing roads.
We will continue to strengthen our publicity and education efforts through the media, talks and on-street publicity campaigns, etc. to promote pedestrian safety and remind pedestrians to be more attentive and to pay heed to road conditions when crossing roads. We will also remind drivers to pay special attention to pedestrians.
Ends/Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:02
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