1,800 jaywalkers hit with fines

Some 1,800 jaywalkers have been slapped with HK$2,000 fixed penalty tickets at 174 hotspots over the past three weeks.

Among the 1,785 pedestrians who received a ticket, one-fourth were elderly - aged 65 years old or above, according to the police.

Over the same period, police also issued summons to over 2,400 drivers, with the most common offenses being using a mobile phone while driving, failing to obey road markings and speeding. Most were professional drivers.

The force added that 71 fatal traffic accidents were recorded in the first eight months this year, accounting for a 34 percent increase year-on-year. Sixty percent of the deaths - or 44 deaths - were pedestrians, with 27 of them over the age of 65.

To enhance pedestrians' awareness of road safety, the police launched a publicity and education campaign last month at 50 locations, and undertook a three-week enforcement operation from August 13 at 174 busy intersections.

Police said three in four of the individuals ticketed were found to have failed to comply with traffic signals at road crossings, and 7 percent crossed within 15 meters of a pedestrian crossing without using such facilities.

The police urged pedestrians to comply with traffic rules.

"We hope to change citizens' erroneous or even dangerous behaviors through methods that are deterrent and vigilant," police said.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,457 HK$320 fixed penalty tickets were issued for illegal parking on Wednesday in Kowloon East.

The action was made against double parking, illegal loading, unloading, picking-up or alighting activities and stopping or waiting at restricted zones, especially near bus stops.

Multiple tickets were issued to 15 drivers and one vehicle was towed away.

In another three-day enforcement action in New Territories South, the police inspected about 800 public service vehicles and detained four minibuses and 18 taxis which were severely defective.

The force said they may charge the drivers and vehicle owners in due course.

In addition, 113 tickets and four summons were issued to drivers who drove over the speed limit, crossed double white lines, allowed picking-up or alighting activities at restricted zones and used a mobile phone while driving.

They also issued 169 tickets for illegal parking.

Police reminded drivers that driving defective vehicles is a violation of the law and would seriously affect road safety. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$10,000 and one-year imprisonment upon conviction.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com