Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie and the state Department of Transportation (DOT) kicked off Hawaii’s 4^th annual Pedestrian Safety Month today with a proclamation signing at the state capitol. DOT’s Walk Wise Hawaii program is bringing together public partners such as the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services and all four county police departments, in addition to private partners such as AAA-Hawaii, Kamaaina Kids and McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii. Together, they will promote and educate residents and visitors on pedestrian safety and driver awareness of pedestrians throughout the month.

“The number one reason for pedestrian fatalities is inattentive behavior on both the part of the pedestrian and the driver,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Hawaii is the only state to have a Pedestrian Safety Month and this is our opportunity to lead the nation in pedestrian safety education and to help change pedestrian habits, as well as driver awareness of pedestrians.”

“The goal of the state’s Walk Wise Hawaii program is to create heightened awareness of pedestrian safety with the ultimate goal of saving lives and making Hawaii a safer place to walk,” stated Glenn Okimoto, director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Since its inception in 2003, pedestrian fatalities statewide have declined by 48-percent, but with a recent rise in fatalities, we must continue to be vigilant.”

The Walk Wise Hawaii campaign, in conjunction with enforcement and safety engineering, is helping to reduce pedestrian fatalities and accidents in the state. Although pedestrian fatalities have declined overall since the program’s inception, pedestrian fatalities this year have already risen to 21 deaths, which equal the total pedestrian fatalities for 2012.

Leading up to Pedestrian Safety Month, Walk Wise Hawaii partnered with Kamaaina Kids, an after-school program serving more than 8,000 children statewide, and McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii in an education campaign to teach Hawaii’s keiki and kupuna good pedestrian habits.

“After learning seven pedestrian safety tips during the school year, each Kamaaina Kid was asked to share this information with his or her family members in the form of the Kupuna Pledge Card,” said Ray Sanborn, founder of Kamaaina Kids. “Each kupuna or parent was asked to sign the card and pledge to their son or daughter to be a good pedestrian. Once signed, every pledge card was redeemable for a complimentary McDonald’s of Hawaii Happy Meal.”

In addition, each Kamaaina Kid was asked to create a pedestrian safety poster based on one of two key pedestrian safety tips: (1) always make eye contact with drivers while in a crosswalk; and (2) always wear bright or reflective clothing while walking at night. More than 4,000 posters statewide were submitted and the top 20 posters are on display at the state capitol throughout August. The top two posters, one from each category, will be printed on McDonald’s Restaurant of Hawaii tray liners at 75 locations throughout the state during the month of August. It is expected that over half a million McDonald’s of Hawaii customers will be exposed to this messaging.

The following Pedestrian Safety Month campaigns and events are slated for August:

• On Tuesday, Aug. 6, Walk Wise Hawaii participated with the Honolulu Police Department and Neighborhood Security Watch teams in the National Night Out walk to promote safety in our communities in Mililani.
• Walk Wise Hawaii will be conducting dozens for pedestrian safety presentations at senior centers; community centers; and elementary, middle and high schools statewide.
• Honolulu Police Department will partner with Walk Wise Hawaii at several pedestrian safety law enforcement events on Oahu to remind drivers of the laws pertaining to pedestrians.
• Hawaii and Maui Police Departments will partner with Walk Wise Hawaii in several pedestrian sign waving events aimed at drivers.
• Kauai Police Department will partner with Walk Wise Hawaii in several pedestrian sign waving and educational events.
• University of Hawaii students and faculty at all 10 campuses statewide will be educated through a series of special events and presentations on good pedestrian safety tips for walking to class and driver awareness tips for those driving to school beginning in August. 
• A 30-second public service announcement centered on the idea that “pedestrians can be hidden from view by stopped vehicles on multi-lane streets” will run at Consolidated and Regal Theatres statewide and on local television for five weeks. The spot shows two scenarios: the first showing a driver passing vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, then running into the pedestrian; and the second showing the driver slowing down to see why the other cars were stopped, then seeing the pedestrian and letting her cross safely.  

For more information on Walk Wise Hawaii and a list of specific Pedestrian Safety Month events, call (808) 587-2160 or visit www.facebook.com/Walk-Wise-Hawaii.

About Walk Wise Hawai‘i

Walk Wise Hawaii is a public education program focusing on pedestrian safety and driver awareness. It is sponsored by the Hawaii State Department of Transportation through its “Safe Communities” program with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Walk Wise Hawaii has employed extensive outreach methods including partnerships with public and private entities.

 

Gov. Abercrombie and Makalapa Elementary 6^th grader Camryn Corpuz, Age 11.
Camryn’s poster was the top selection emphasizing the safety message that pedestrians should always make eye contact with drivers while in a crosswalk.