Police to monitor intersections for pedestrian safety program
Recent pedestrian fatalities on Oahu have prompted HPD’s Traffic Division to ramp up safety awareness for pedestrians. Honolulu police officer John Rathjen talked to pedestrian Eunice Choe as he issued a citation for walking against the traffic signal at the intersection of Keeaumoku and Makaloa streets Friday.
Beginning Sunday and continuing through the middle of next month, Honolulu police officers will be stationed at some intersections and crosswalks as part of a campaign to reduce pedestrian deaths.
Officers will be deployed to intersections and crosswalks across Oahu, with some of the officers posing as civilian pedestrians, a police statement said.
The campaign is part of the "Walk Wise Hawaii" which is part of a state Department of Transportation pedestrian safety community outreach program.
HPD statement said drivers and pedestrians alike are urged to use caution when approaching or using crosswalks and intersections.
Pedestrians should use crosswalks, where available, and not enter a crosswalk if the "Don’t Walk" signal is flashing or solid red. Drivers should stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk if the pedestrian is on the same half of the roadway and not overtake other vehicles that have stopped for pedestrians.
In 2014, 25 pedestrians were killed and additional 14 were critically injured in traffic collisions on Oahu. As of Tuesday, three pedestrians had been killed on Oahu roads in 2015.
