Pedestrian Safety Month

from State of Hawaii Department of Transportation August 2021 Newsletter

by DOT_CSS

Highways

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

clip-on lights or reflective safety bands, in addition to the pedestrian safety and driver awareness of pedestrian educational material, at public events across the state to help pedestrians become more visible while walking along Hawai‘i’s roadways and to raise driver awareness of pedestrians. Please check the Pedestrian Safety Month Calendar on page 23, for an event near you, or, if you wish to join us in bringing pedestrian safety awareness to the public, please email Christy Cowser at: christy.m.cowser@hawaii.gov.

Also, Angry Locals, a local rap group, just published their rap video dedicated to pedestrian safety.

Safety Tips:

Drivers - • Please focus on driving safely. • As you are approaching crosswalks, slow down and be prepared to stop. Remember, pedestrians may be blocked from view by other vehicles that have slowed down or stopped. • Slow down so you can give the right of way to pedestrians who may be on the roadways.

Pedestrians – • Don’t walk distracted. Always be aware of your surroundings and remain vigilant even while in a marked cross walk. You never know what a driver might do. Even though you may have the right of way in a crosswalk, don’t be dead right. • Keep looking for drivers who may not see you because other vehicles that have stopped. Just because one vehicle stopped, doesn’t mean they all will. • It is against the law to enter a crosswalk when the red hand/countdown timer has begun. Even though you may have enough time to cross, don’t enter the crosswalk. Wait for the next walk signal. If you are already in the crosswalk when the countdown timer begins, finish crossing.

For more information and pedestrian safety resources, visit our website: https://hidot.hawaii. gov/highways/safe-communites/walkwisehawaii/.