Pedestrian fatalities down; bicyclist deaths rise

There have been 90 traffic deaths in Hawaii this year through Monday — 10 fewer than reported at the same time last year, according to data released Wednesday by the state Department of Transportation.

But while there were fewer deaths, five bicyclists died statewide while there were no bicycle fatalities in the same period for 2016.

The most traffic deaths from Jan. 1 to Nov. 13 occurred on Oahu, which recorded 37. It was followed by 32 in Hawaii County, 15 in Maui County and six in Kauai County.

In Honolulu County, the highest number of deaths were of motor vehicle occupants (18), followed by motorcycle, moped and scooter deaths (12). There were three pedestrian deaths, three bicyclist deaths and one ATV operator death.

During the same period in Honolulu last year, there were more pedestrian deaths (18) compared with motor vehicle occupants (17) and motorcycle, moped and scooter deaths (11). There were no bicyclist or ATV operator deaths.

Statewide, pedestrian deaths, at five so far this year, number far fewer than the 27 recorded last year.

The state Transportation Department reported no pedestrian deaths or serious incidents on Halloween, consistently one of the top three days for traffic-related pedestrian injuries and deaths in the nation. There were, however, seven traffic deaths on Hawaii roads in the past month.

“Mahalo to the pedestrians and drivers in communities across our state for looking out for each other this past Halloween,” said Department of Transportation deputy director for highways Ed Sniffen in a written statement. “Even though we are framing the conversation with data, each of these numbers represent one more person who died on one of our roads. Let’s work together toward a goal of 100 percent safe arrivals, so that every mother, father, son and daughter comes home safe every day.”