CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / MAY 15 ,2009 Honolulu Police Department officers assisted pedestrians across Bethel Street in this May 15, 2009 photo.
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Honolulu police have issued at least two times more pedestrian-related tickets than normal since stepping up enforcement of pedestrian safety laws on July 1.
The extra enforcement comes after 14 pedestrians died in traffic crashes this year on Oahu. Police are warning the public that officers will continue issuing pedestrian-related citations through August to increase pedestrian safety.
From July 1 though Saturday, officers issued 537 pedestrian-related citations, with most coming in the Kapolei-Waianae district, followed by the downtown district, said Honolulu Police Department Maj. Darren Izumo, who heads the Traffic Division. A further breakdown of citations by district was not available.
Fifty-two of the citations were for drivers, mostly for failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. The rest were for pedestrians, mostly for crossing a road against the light and jaywalking.
In a typical month, police issue 400 to 700 pedestrian-related citations, he said.
“With our efforts, a problem still exists,” Izumo said of the high number of citations. “We’d just like to make it known that, both motorists and pedestrians, we want them to change their behavior.”
Pedestrians can receive a $130 fine for jaywalking, and drivers can be ordered to court for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Izumo urged pedestrians to obey traffic signals and use marked crosswalks to make themselves more visible to drivers. He cautioned drivers to remain alert at intersections because pedestrians could be present and pedestrians might do unexpected things, such as run into the road to chase down a wind-blown piece of clothing.