HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is saddened to report that 79 people have been killed in traffic related fatalities statewide in 2018. At the same time last year there were 72 fatalities. HDOT is encouraged by the fact that fewer motor vehicle occupants and bicyclists have been killed this year, however the number of pedestrian fatalities has risen to 25 which is 525% higher than last year at this time.
HDOT will be display the current fatality statistic on digital message boards around Oahu on Friday’s as a reminder to people heading into the weekend to drive safe and sober. An example of a message board with the traffic death number displayed is pictured below.
“We are glad people are taking storm preparedness seriously. We also want people to take driving and pedestrian safety seriously,” said Director Jade Butay, Hawaii Department of Transportation. “When someone drives under the influence or distracted, that is no accident, it is a choice. One bad decision behind the wheel can impact a family for life.”
“We ask people to remind their friends and family, especially younger drivers, about safe driving. Speak up if you think someone shouldn’t get behind the wheel or if you are in a car and the driver starts to text,” said Deputy Director Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation Highways Division. “Pedestrians need to stay alert and shouldn’t assume cars will stop for them.”
HDOT is reminding all of Hawaii’s roadway users to follow the laws and pay attention to stop the tragic and preventable deaths on the roadways. HDOT is continuing its pedestrian safety messaging through Walk Wise Hawaii to help educate the public. Walk Wise Hawaii pedestrian safety tips are available in 12 languages including English, Hawaiian, Samoan, Chuukese, Marshallese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Ilocano, Tagalog, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Brochures containing pedestrian safety steps are distributed at community events throughout the state. An online version of the multi-language brochure can be viewed by clicking here. The English version can be found by clicking here.
An example of a message board with the traffic death number displayed above the H-1 Freeway on the Liliha Street overpass
January 1, 2018 through September 13, 2018
| Motor Vehicle Occupants |
Pedestrians |
M/C, Moped, Scooter Operators |
Bicyclists |
ATV
Operators
|
TOTAL |
|
| C&C of Honolulu |
14 |
17 |
9 – m/c’s
4 – moped 1 – scooter Total – 14* |
0 |
0 |
45 |
| Hawaii County |
12 |
4 |
4 – m/c’s
0 – moped 0-scooters Total – 4 |
1 |
0 |
21 |
| Maui County |
5 |
3 |
3 – m/c’s
1 – mopeds 0 – scooters Total -4 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
| Kauai County |
0 |
1 |
0 – m/c’s
0 – mopeds 0 – scooters Total -00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| TOTAL | 31 | 25 |
22*
|
1 | 0 | 79 |
*= 1 Electric/motorized bicycle
January 1, 2017 through September 13, 2017
| Motor Vehicle Occupants |
Pedestrians |
M/C, Moped, Scooter Operators |
Bicyclists |
ATV
Operators
|
TOTAL |
|
| C&C of Honolulu |
16 |
3 |
6 – m/c’s
3 – moped 1 – scooters Total – 10 |
2 |
0 |
31 |
| Hawaii County |
21 |
1 |
5 – m/c’s
1 – moped 0 – scooters Total – 6 |
1 |
0 |
29 |
| Maui County |
2 |
0 |
3 – m/c’s
0 – mopeds 1 – scooters Total – 4 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
| Kauai County |
6 |
0 |
0 – m/c’s
0 – mopeds 0 – scooters Total – 0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
| TOTAL | 45 | 4 |
20
|
3 | 0 | 72 |
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