Hawaii is the most dangerous state in the nation for senior pedestrians, according to a Honolulu Star-Advertiser analysis of federal traffic data. You hear about it all the time — a senior pedestrian is killed, or a senior driver is injured, or worse, both are hit at the same time. What can seniors do to help protect themselves when walking? What should seniors consider when it comes to driving? Here are tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe on Hawaii’s roadways.
How to be a safer pedestrian:
>> Wear bright or reflective clothing.
>> Walk in well-lighted areas.
>> If walking in dark or bad weather, use a flashlight and wear a light.
>> Make eye contact with all drivers before crossing. Just because one car stops, it doesn’t mean the other drivers see you.
>> Hold your hand up to make yourself more visible.
>> Use extra caution at midblock crosswalks. Even though Hawaii law states that drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, not all drivers know this.
Street Smart: Tips Every Senior Should Know
To learn more about senior safety, don’t miss a free Speaking of Health lecture, “Street Smart: Tips Every Senior Should Know,” with Cora Speck and others on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Queen’s Medical Center, 1301 Punchbowl St. Call 691-7117 to register, or go to
queens.org and click on “Attend a Class.”
What are some warning signs that it might be time to consider not driving?
>> Having more than two traffic tickets, warnings or close calls in the past two years.
>> Finding unexplained dents and scratches on the car.
>> Getting lost in familiar places.
>> Confusing the brake and gas pedals.
>> Driving too slowly or too fast.
>> Using a “co-pilot” (one person steers while the other person instructs the driver what to do).
What are some tips for talking with an older driver about driving?
>> Remember, most Hawaii drivers will outlive their driving ability by seven to 10 years.
>> Have a series of one-on-one conversations.
>> Explain that driving safely, not driving cessation, is the immediate goal.
>> Offer to help the driver take online self-screening tests, on-site classes for older drivers and CarFit, an educational program that teaches how to better adjust a vehicle to an older driver.
>> Focus on ways to ensure that the driver and all road users are safe.
>> Ask: Which is more important, how you get somewhere or what you do when you get there?
>> Do a cost-benefit analysis of owning a vehicle versus finding alternatives to driving.
Cora Speck is the trauma injury prevention and outreach coordinator for the Queen’s Medical Center.
