On Saturday, it was a homeless man lying in the driveway of an office building. On Sunday, a doctor walking his dog in Mokuleia.
Every traffic fatality is a singular tragedy. But when they start to add up, it becomes a community concern.
Too many people die on Hawaii’s roadways every year. Some years are worse than others, and there is no clear pattern to suggest a single cause or solution. But two things are clear: As Honolulu’s population grows, the streets are getting more crowded with pedestrians and bicycles (note the proliferation of Biki bikes). And when traffic fatality numbers go up instead of down, it’s more than worrisome; it’s a call to action.
Last year at this time, there were 32 traffic fatalities on Oahu, according to Honolulu police. So far this year, there have been 52.
Similarly, there were four pedestrian fatalities statewide in 2017 as of Sept. 13, according to the state Department of Transportation. This year, there have been more than 20.
HPD, alarmed at the higher number of pedestrian deaths, intends to put more plainclothes officers on the streets and in crosswalks to catch drivers — and pedestrians and bicyclists — who ignore the rules. It’s a good idea, one that should encourage people to pay more attention.
Honolulu’s busy streets, dominated by cars with little accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists, are prime locations for accidents. In many places, sidewalks are narrow or nonexistent. Separated, protected bike lanes are uncommon, although the city is trying to add more. Crosswalks unattached to signals may stretch across multiple lanes of roadways carrying fast-moving cars and hard-to-spot pedestrians.
Law enforcement is one solution, but there are only so many police officers available. It would be better if people would recognize that Hawaii’s roadways are inherently dangerous places and act accordingly — if not out of common courtesy and concern, then at least because it’s the law.
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and the law specifies how this must be done. Likewise, pedestrians have rules, too: when they can and can’t enter a crosswalk, and what they can’t do while in it (staring into your cellphone). Bicycle riders can’t just cruise on any sidewalks or weave between cars; they generally have to follow the same traffic laws as motorists (see below for a link to more information).
A little common sense and mutual respect go a long way. Pedestrians and bicyclists should wear bright or reflective clothing; they can be hard to spot. Construction projects along roadways can make transit even more difficult and confusing, so extra care is required.
Urban planning plays an important role, too. Planners have figured out that well-designed streets can make life safer for vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists. Many cities, including Honolulu, recognize the value of Complete Streets, a concept that promotes walking and biking by redesigning streets to give non-motorized travelers more room.
In Honolulu, that means building fully interconnected and protected bike lanes, allowing safe navigation throughout the urban core. The process has begun, on King and South streets, with expansion plans for Pensacola and Ward, and elsewhere. Sidewalks need to be repaired and extended. Unsafe crosswalks need to be removed or modified with lights or other safety-enhancing features, even at the cost of convenience to the community.
Motorists complain that more pedestrians and bicyclists, and narrower streets, will force them to drive more slowly and be more vigilant to avoid accidents. Exactly.
Ultimately, unless the number is zero, it matters little how many traffic fatalities occur in Hawaii.
“Every one of those numbers is a person,” said HPD Traffic Division Capt. Ben Moszkowicz. “People you see every day.”
For more information about the law, as well as safety tips, visit hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/safe- communites/walkwisehawaii/faq/ Opens in a new tab.
