Editorial | A red line that no one should be crossing
- A police crackdown on jaywalkers and bad motorists in Hong Kong is to be welcomed, but much more should be done to make the lives of pedestrians easier and safer
Jaywalkers and bad drivers beware. Police have stepped up patrols to catch people who ignore “little red men” signals and other traffic rules in Hong Kong. The crackdown ordered in response to a rise in road fatalities is to be welcomed, but should also prompt discussion about how the city’s streets can be made less mean for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Police said there were 61 fatal traffic accidents recorded in the city as of the end of July. Of the 38 pedestrians killed, 23 were aged 65 or above, while the other fatalities included motorcycle riders, drivers, passengers and cyclists.
The figure was the highest during the seven-month period since 2020 when pandemic restrictions started emptying the streets. Senior Inspector Chan Ho-man with the force’s road safety unit said the deaths all too often “involved pedestrians not paying full attention” when crossing roads. Many were using mobile phones or not using zebra crossings, footbridges, pedestrian tunnels and traffic lights.
The crackdown that started on August 14 is targeting people ignoring red lights, climbing fences or central reservations or not using crossing areas. Officers also will prosecute motorists accused of careless, inattentive and dangerous driving. For those who are caught, immediate fines of up to HK$2,000 should focus attention on road safety.
Hong Kong is not the only place facing such problems, which often persist despite law changes and stepped up enforcement or education. While police said their crackdown aimed to “protect life by changing behaviour”, authorities would be wise to consider fresh ways to make our streets safer.