28th October 2026 – (Hong Kong) In a written reply to the Legislative Council, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan addressed a question from the Hon Duncan Chiu on whether fixed fines should be replaced by alternative, more educational measures for minor offences. She said the administration combines education with enforcement to change risky behaviour, while confirming that pedestrians who breach crossing rules are prosecuted by summons rather than under a fixed penalty regime, with courts determining penalties up to 2,000 dollars.
Over the past three years, the Hong Kong Police Force recorded 8,912 prosecutions and 527 verbal warnings in 2023 for pedestrians crossing without complying with traffic rules, 9,105 prosecutions and 745 warnings in 2024, and 6,689 prosecutions and 301 warnings in 2025. Pedestrian casualties in traffic accidents fell from about 2,800 in 2023 to about 2,500 in 2025, a decrease of about eight per cent across the period, with details by contributory factor and injury severity set out in official annexes.
For public cleanliness offences, fixed penalty enforcement is undertaken in public places by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and at managed venues by relevant departments, with distribution by the 18 districts provided in recent figures. The government’s approach on hygiene blends tighter regulation, stepped‑up enforcement, improved cleaning services, technology use and public education. Recent outreach included a mobile education programme and activities such as an event in Tai Po District on 22nd October 2026 to promote personal and environmental hygiene.
The government said it is considering the overall deterrent effect, legal implications, court operations and administrative resources when assessing proposals to replace fines with non‑monetary penalties such as community service. Having weighed these factors, it considers the current prosecution and penalty framework effective, while keeping arrangements under review.
Alongside enforcement, the authorities highlighted ongoing citywide education on road safety. The Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force continue to partner with the Road Safety Council on campaigns ranging from television and online clips to school and elderly‑centre talks, printed bulletins and social media. With older pedestrians representing a high share of fatalities, bespoke initiatives include talks, vehicle blind‑spot demonstrations, road‑safety drama and virtual‑reality experiences to reinforce safe crossing habits and alertness.
The police have mounted four territory‑wide thematic operations on pedestrian safety in 2026.
