Helpful hints: Police have launched a two-week Hong Kong-wide road safety campaign.

Police have launched a two-week Hong Kong-wide campaign to educate pedestrians on road safety.

Comprising on-street education and strict enforcement, the two-phased campaign will last until August 23.

The Pedestrian Road Safety Fortnight, now in full force, was launched due to rising numbers of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents.

This week officers will distribute leaflets and souvenirs at over 90 locations to enhance road safety awareness and appeal for good care to be taken of children.

Offenders will be given verbal warnings this week while stringent enforcement action will be taken next week against those who fail to comply with traffic laws.

During the first half of this year, 55 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, representing a 31% increase when compared with the same period in 2002.

About 30% of the 6,897 traffic accidents in the first six months of this year involved pedestrians, resulting in 2,165 casualties.