Road-safety campaign adds dash of color

Traffic signal control units have been given a makeover with large-sized posters plastered on them to deliver safety slogans for motorists and pedestrians as a large-scale anti-jaywalking enforcement action is launched today.

The sloganeering on the signal units, which underneath the posters are gray or light green, are a Transport Department publicity and education activity taking hold in collaboration with police and the Road Safety Council.

About 265 controllers at accident-prone junctions in districts have been affixed with a variety of bilingual posters with different slogans to disseminate various messages, such as following traffic rules, using pedestrian crossings, wearing helmets and personal protective equipment when cycling and no drug or drink driving.

The posters have also been designed to improve the look of the cityscapes and even beautify the environment, a department spokesman said, and there are plans to slap posters on 366 more traffic signal controllers this year.

"Road safety depends on the cooperation of every road user," the spokesman added. "We appeal to members of the public to follow traffic rules and be attentive, patient and law-abiding at all times.

"We will continue to enhance safety awareness of road users through publicity and education."

Police are also launching a citywide enforcement action today to combat pedestrians and drivers who violate traffic regulations.

Jaywalkers will be fined HK$2,000 while other pedestrians who fail to abide by traffic signals, climb over roadside fences and endanger their own or other people's safety when crossing roads will face charges.

They too will be liable for fines up to HK$2,000, according to traffic control regulations.

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

They can be disqualified from driving for not less than five years on a first conviction.

And people guilty of causing death by dangerous driving can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined up to HK$50,000.

Yesterday saw a black BMW private car ram into a pharmacy in Tai Po after colliding with a minibus on Nam Shing Street at about 2pm.

The front part of the car was seriously damaged and its windshield was broken.

The 62-year-old driver plus a 32-year-old male passenger and two female passengers aged 63 and 86 were slightly injured.

They were all conscious when sent to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com