An officer talks to a pedestrian in Tai Po as police launch a territory-wide crackdown against jaywalkers on Aug 14, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Police Force launched on Monday a territory-wide crackdown against jaywalkers after the number of fatal traffic accidents in the city rose significantly in the first half of the year.

Offenders will be fined HK$2,000 ($256) under the anti-jaywalking campaign, which encourages pedestrians to follow traffic lights and use pedestrian crossings, underpasses and bridges instead of endangering themselves and others, Senior Inspector Chan Ho-man said in a video posted on the official HKFP Facebook page.

Drivers who violate traffic rules and cause accidents that lead to deaths are also liable to a fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years upon conviction

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Drivers who violate traffic rules and cause accidents that lead to deaths are also liable to a fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years upon conviction.

Police are going after traffic violators after they recorded 61 fatal traffic accidents since January until last week, compared to 38 cases in the first half of 2021 and 39 during the same period in 2022.

An officer talks to a pedestrian in Tai Po as police launch a territory-wide crackdown against jaywalkers on Aug 14, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Moreover, 60 percent of the accidents involved pedestrians while 66 percent involved the elderly, police said. 

Before the crackdown began on Monday, police had distributed leaflets across the territory to remind the public to follow road safety rules.

An officer talks to a pedestrian in Tai Po as police launch a territory-wide crackdown against jaywalkers on Aug 14, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Officers go on patrol in Tai Po as police launch a territory-wide crackdown against jaywalkers on Aug 14, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

An officer talks to a pedestrian in Tai Po as police launch a territory-wide crackdown against jaywalkers on Aug 14, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)