Dept. of Transportation Monthly Newsletter
Connecting the DOTs...
August 2021
August is Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month in Hawaii By: Christy Cowser
Did you know that August is Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month in Hawai’i? This August marks the 12th anniversary of our Pedestrian Safety Month as we continue to focus on bringing pedestrian safety education to the public. Hawaii was the first State in the nation to have an entire month dedicated to pedestrian safety awareness. In 2016, California joined us by also dedicating an entire month to pedestrian safety awareness. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently adopted the program and dedicated the month of October as national Pedestrian Safety month. According to NHTSA, in 2019, 6,205 pedestrians died in traffic crashes. During this same year, 37 pedestrians in our State died. As of the end of last month, there have been 14 pedestrian fatalities so far this year. These are not just statistics, they are our loved ones, friends and neighbors. To reduce the number of fatalities and injuries, the Hawai’i Department of Transportation (HDOT) created the WalkWise and DriveWise programs which have been recognized nationally as one of the leading pedestrian safety outreach programs in the country.
Through the years, the WalkWise Hawaii and DriveWise Hawaii safety outreach programs have partnered with the four county mayors and police departments, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services, businesses and non-profit organizations such McDonalds and Kamaaina Kids. Pedestrian Safety Month is just one of the components of this pedestrian safety campaign. The campaign also includes outreach to thousands of pedestrians and drivers throughout the State in hundreds of events, schools, senior centers, and venues such as the Children’s Fair and the First Hawaiian Auto Shows. One of the biggest highlights of WalkWise Hawaii is our partnership with the Girl Scouts of Hawaii, which created a special pedestrian safety badge that can be earned by conducting a pedestrian safety education event. As the only badge of its kind, Girl Scouts from other States have come to Hawaii to earn this badge! Throughout the month of August, there will be a pedestrian safety event every day for the public. Walk Wise Hawai‘i will offer free pedestrian safety See PEDESTRIAN SAFETY on next page