Pedestrian Safety Highlighted After 27 Deaths in 2010

By Wendy Osher

Pedestrian signage in Wailuku, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Ronald McDonald will educate grade school kids on Maui about good pedestrian habits as part of Pedestrian Safety Month in Hawaiʻi.  The educational event is one of several being held around the state throughout the month to encourage safe pedestrian behavior.

It is part of a statewide campaign to promote safety for pedestrians following a proclamation by Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, designating the month of August as Pedestrian Safety Month in Hawaiʻi.

According to state authorities, pedestrian fatalities have declined each year since 2003, until last year when pedestrian fatalities rose to 27 deaths.

The state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Walk Wise Hawai‘i program is teaming with public partners to promote and educate residents on pedestrian safety and driver awareness of pedestrians.

“Our Walk Wise Hawai‘i campaign has been an instrumental tool — along with enforcement and safety engineering — in reducing pedestrian fatalities and accidents in our state,” said Jade Butay, DOT Deputy Director, Administration Division. “This is Hawai’i’s opportunity to lead the nation in pedestrian safety education and to help change pedestrian habits as well as driver awareness of pedestrians,” said Butay.