Question: Could you please explain more clearly what this new crosswalk law means? Does it mean that as soon as the countdown signal begins, anyone stepping in the crosswalk will be cited? It was my understanding that that when the countdown signal begins, it was the allowable time to cross.
Answer: The state law means that the only legal time to enter the crosswalk is on a “walk” signal, such as the white-colored pedestrian figure common at signalized crosswalks in urban Honolulu.
You may not start to cross on a “don’t walk” signal, such as the upraised red palm (hand), whether that signal is flashing or steady, or during the countdown that accompanies it. If you are already in the street when the “don’t walk” signal or countdown appears, you may finish crossing.
As to your second question, it doesn’t mean that anyone stepping into the crosswalk on the countdown will be cited, but they could be, under the law.
To be clear, your understanding was incorrect. Even before Senate Bill 693, CD 1, amended Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-33, that law told pedestrians not to start crossing the street on a “don’t walk” signal, and the countdown occurs then. As the bill explained, countdown timers indicate how many seconds are left before the pedestrian signal changes from a flashing “don’t walk” to a steady “don’t walk” signal, not from “walk” to “don’t walk.”
Honolulu police have emphasized this for years; we found at least four references to their explanation in Kokua Line columns dating back to 2011.
The amended law, which took effect July 1, adds language specifically about the countdown timers, which should end any confusion. You can read it in full at 808ne.ws/SB693, but here are the highlights:
“Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words ‘Walk’ or ‘Don’t Walk,’ the symbols of a walking person or an upraised palm, or a countdown timer are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:
“Walk or Walking Person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles;
“Don’t Walk or Upraised Palm. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, whether flashing or steady, but any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian’s crossing on the Walk or Walking Person signal shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island while the Don’t Walk or Upraised Palm signal is showing; and
“Countdown timer. If the pedestrian-control signal is equipped with a countdown timer, no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal once the countdown begins, but any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian’s crossing when the countdown begins shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island before the countdown timer ends.”
Reader reaction to this is mixed; we’ll run a few comments this week.
Mahalo
On June 27 at about 11:15 a.m. at Kamehameha Shopping Center, my car started rolling out of the parking space. Two male angels came to my aid. I am sorry that I did not get their names, but I would like to say thank you. — Senior citizen
Mahalo
On Wednesday I had a flat tire across from Liliha Bakery and next to Pizza Hut on Kuakini Street. Two gentlemen, Jamie and Jed, who had just finished dinner, came to help me. They were angels sent from heaven. I wish I could have offered something for their kindness, but I will surely pay it forward with them in mind. May they be blessed with lots of love and happiness! — Sincerely, senior lady in old, heavy Lexus (my husband thanks you both, too)
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