It’s not about the loss of the shaka. It’s loss of life that should concern everybody.
"Take the HI Road" is a campaign launched by First Insurance Co. of Hawaii. The effort is aimed at reviving the characteristically polite driving demeanor of Hawaii residents, something arising from the islands’ cultural factors and its generally laid-back lifestyle.
The campaign arose from a set of figures gathered by the Honolulu-based firm QMark Research that examined driving habits. Among its many factoids, the survey found that only 18 percent of drivers used the iconic "shaka" hand signal as a wordless way to say thanks. That may say less about courtesy than it does about passing popularity of most expressions, as this one may be more rooted in the early post-statehood days than some realize.
But there was more than enough data there to give anyone pause. And the National Safety Council, which has declared this to be Driving Safety Week, provides an occasion to reflect on them.
Well over half the respondents to the survey, 55 percent, perceived less courtesy from drivers on the road than just five years ago. Whether this means drivers are feeling more of a time crunch in their daily routines or responding to increased traffic congestion or whether it has some other cause, the lack of a connection with others on the road pairs up with a worrisome lack of awareness of conditions generally.
Witness some of the observations in the survey. About 92 percent said they’ve noted drivers signaling late or not at all. More than two-thirds have seen others refusing to merge lanes. Both are behaviors that lead, often and sometimes tragically, to crashes. Almost everyone has seen people talking on cellphones, and 51 percent have noticed others texting while driving. And that’s only two of the most egregious forms of inattentive driving.
It’s an enormous problem on both local and national levels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that nationally at any given time some 100,000 drivers are texting and 600,000 are using a handheld. That contributes to 3,000 fatalities linked with distracted driving each year, according to the agency.
Hawaii has a distressing record of traffic deaths, including pedestrian fatalities. Thanks to some persistent lobbying from community groups, city and state officials have enacted "Complete Streets" policies to support the design of roadways that lower the hazard risk by accommodating those walking and biking as well as driving a car.
That certainly helps, but the people who surely have the most power in their hands are the ones behind the wheel. The safety council offers some advice, including the following:
» Avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, frequent and unnecessary lane changes, tailgating and running red or yellow lights by planning enough time for commutes and staying focused on your own driving.
» Change your cellphone voicemail message to let people know calls won’t be taken while driving. Putting the phone in the glove compartment can shortcircuit that temptation, too. Hands-free devices don’t eliminate the distraction.
» The ultimate in inattentive driving arises from the use of alcohol or drugs before getting behind a wheel. Intervene when a friend is poised to drive under the influence.
"Take the HI Road" is aimed at restoring some island kindness to Hawaii highways, especially here in harried Honolulu. Flashing the shaka is a welcome bit of nostalgia, but the truest show of aloha for those who share the road with you is driving with safety in mind.
