April 2, 2008, Hong Kong – The AIA Foundation continues to support Hong Kong's Road Safety Council to spread road safety messages. The aim is to achieve the road safety vision of “Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal”. In view of the increase in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents in 2007 when compared with the year 2006, the AIA Foundation is working with the Road Safety Council again to roll out a series of advertisements under the theme “When the "green man” light signal is flashing, don't start crossing the road.” By educating people on how to comply with traffic signals, the campaign aims to reduce the number of traffic accidents.

To complement the “Smart Road User Campaign” launched by the Road Safety Council, this latest advertising campaign targets drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Through a wide range of publicity channels, it aims to increase the awareness of road regulations among road users and encourage them to join the concerted effort to achieve the goal of zero accidents.

According to the latest statistics from the Hong Kong Police Force, a total of 19,625 people were killed or injured in traffic accidents in 2007, an increase of 4.0% from 2006. Altogether, there were 15,315 traffic accidents in 2007, representing a slight increase of 3.1% compared with 14,849 in 2006.

Mr. Lawrence Yu, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Road Safety Campaign Committee of the Road Safety Council said, “Statistics from the police showed that 91 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, up 16.7% from 78 in 2006.Among the 91 pedestrians, 57 were elderly people, an increase of 18.8 % from 48 in 2006. By encouraging pedestrians to use road crossing facilities properly, such as signalized pedestrian crossings, we can effectively reduce the risk of traffic accidents. With the support of the AIA Foundation, we hope this campaign can raise public awareness, particularly among the elderly, on the importance of complying with pedestrian signals so as to reduce the number of road accidents.”

AIA Foundation Program Director Ms. Lisa Lai said, “Despite the fact that the number of deaths and seriously injured in 2007 had increased by 1.5% as compared with 2006, the figure has remained at a relatively low level over the past 46 years. I believe this encouraging sign demonstrates that the efforts of Road Safety Council make a real difference. We are proud to be involved in this meaningful campaign that will benefit the whole community in Hong Kong. The AIA Foundation has been working closely with the Council to promote road safety, and our support is consistent with the Foundation's mission of supporting educational, medical, sports and community programs.”

Since 1998, the AIA Foundation has been working closely with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Road Safety Council to promote road safety. To support the “Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal,” the AIA Foundation produced a series of advertisements promoting road safety throughout Hong Kong in 2004, which targeted drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

This year marks the second campaign by the AIA Foundation and the Road Safety Council to enhance public awareness on road safety. New advertisements will be launched throughout Hong Kong, including an outdoor billboard in urban area, banners on taxis, locations with high pedestrian traffic, some government buildings and public facilities managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Established in April 1995 under the initiative of American International Assurance Company, Limited, (AIA), the AIA Foundation is a non-profit-making organization set up to extend support to worthwhile charitable causes. The objective of the Foundation is to assist educational, medical, sports and community programs.

AIA is one of the largest life insurers in Southeast Asia, with branch offices, subsidiaries and affiliated companies located in countries and jurisdictions including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Australia, Brunei, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. AIA markets a full line of life insurance products through a multi-channel distribution system, whose core franchise is an extensive agency force.

AIA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). AIG, a world leader in insurance and financial services, is the leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional and individual customers through the most extensive worldwide property-casualty and life insurance networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of retirement services, financial services and asset management around the world. AIG's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the stock exchanges in Ireland and Tokyo.

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