Cops to get tough on jaywalking

A large-scale anti-jaywalking campaign will be carried out from Monday in which jaywalkers would be fined HK$2,000 if they get caught, police said, as they recorded a three-year high of 61 fatal traffic accidents from January to Wednesday, with 60 percent involving pedestrians, of whom 66 percent were elderly.

This is compared with 38 and 39 cases in the first two quarters in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Officers believe the rise was due to the increase of people and traffic on the street as pandemic restrictions have been lifted.

Trucks, taxis and minibuses were involved in most accidents.

"The major causes of fatal accidents consist of not complying with traffic signals when crossing, failure to use traffic facilities, being distracted by their mobile phones and walking along traffic lanes instead of sidewalks," said Chan Ho-man, senior inspector of police (road safety unit, traffic).

To increase pedestrian awareness of road safety, the traffic branch has performed a two-phase promotion and education campaign to remind citizens to obey traffic regulations.

The second phase of activities took place yesterday and will end today. The traffic branch, together with members of the Road Safety Team and Traffic Safety Patrol, are distributing leaflets and souvenirs at 25 locations in Hong Kong to spread the message of road safety.

Police will then launch a large-scale law enforcement action from Monday to combat pedestrians and drivers who violate traffic regulations. But police did not say how long the campaign will last.

Pedestrians who fail to abide by traffic signals, climb over roadside fences and negligently endanger their own or another person's safety when crossing the road will be charged. They are liable to a fine of up to HK$2,000, according to Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations.

Police will also combat drivers involved in illegal behavior including inattentive driving, careless driving and dangerous driving.

Offenders of dangerous driving causing death will be liable to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for 10 years. They will also be disqualified from driving for not less than five years on first conviction.

Police said different enforcement strategies will be designed based on the needs of each district.

"Pedestrians should make good use of traffic facilities such as traffic lights, zebra crossings, pedestrian underpasses and bridges," Chan said.. "They should also obey traffic light signals and regulations and avoid crossing the road between cars or get near blind spots of large vehicles.

"Drivers should be attentive when driving, check for vehicle blind spots and ensure the safety of the vehicle before starting the engine."