HPD aims to reduce fatal car crashes

Honolulu police are asking for the public’s help in reducing fatal traffic accidents.

So far this year there have been 55 traffic fatalities on Oahu.

Lt. Stason Tanaka of the Hono­lulu Police Department’s Traffic Division concedes that police are limited by how much they can do to keep roadways safe.

He said the public can help by reminding friends and family of basic driving tips, such as concentrating on the road, not drinking and driving, and monitoring their speed. Repeating the advice can help someone who does not realize he is driving dangerously correct his behavior.

"Sometimes people don’t mean to break the law," Tanaka said. ‘Sometimes we just need a reminder."

Driver safety should resemble a neighborhood watch program, he said.

"We all take care of one another," Tanaka said. "When people drive with aloha, people don’t get into accidents. It improves the quality of life for everybody."

According to state data, from 2008 through 2012 speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and alcohol were factors in nearly half of traffic fatalities.

During that period about 45 percent of traffic deaths in Hawaii were alcohol-related, 49 percent of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts and 47 percent of fatal traffic crashes involved at least one driver who was speeding, according to Dan Gala­nis, a state epidemiologist at the Department of Health.

Tanaka said police are working to reduce traffic crashes through enforcement and education but noted that many factors exist outside of police control, such as poor vehicle maintenance, driver inattention and driving conditions.

"We strive for zero fatalities in one year," Tanaka said. "I try to keep the roads as safe as I can as a law enforcement officer, but I cannot do it alone. … Every motorist has to do their part to keep the roadways safe."

Oahu’s most recent traffic fatality occurred early Sunday morning when motorcyclist John G. Chung, 39, of Hono­lulu struck a curb and hit the ground near Diamond Head. Police believe Chung was speeding. The accident marked the 10th this year in which a motorcyclist was killed on Oahu.

While the annual tally for traffic deaths on Oahu has hovered in the mid-50s for the past three years, state data shows a slight decrease in traffic fatalities.

Galanis of the Health Department said on average, 123 people died in crashes every year in Hawaii during a five-year period, 2009-13. In the preceeding five years, an average of 148 people died every year.

Galanis attributed the lower average, in part, to safety improvements in newer vehicles. Road improvements, educational campaigns and advancements in trauma care might also be tied to the decrease.

During the same periods, however, there was an increase in motorcycle and moped fatalities, Galanis said. There were 141 moped/motorcycle deaths, 2009-13; and 176 deaths in the earlier period.

On Hawaii island, police saw a steep drop in traffic fatalities to 11 this year (as of Monday) from 25 at this time last year. That occurred at the same time that major crashes jumped by about 200 to about 1,490 so far this year, according to Hawaii island police.

Last summer, HPD began a program to improve traffic safety, called "Take 30 for Traffic." Patrol officers try to focus 30 minutes of their shift on traffic safety issues, ranging from patrolling busy streets to issuing citations and warning pedestrians.

So far this year, 25 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents on Oahu. In 2012 there were 17 pedestrian deaths.

Tanaka believes HPD’s efforts are making a difference but said greater public awareness would help.

He urges pedestrians to protect themselves from errant drivers by remaining vigilant even when they have the right of way. Also, he said pedestrians should make themselves visible and maintain eye contact with drivers, which can reveal when a motorist is not paying attention.