How can we stop pedestrian accidents?

[IBadget]

I have been thinking about ways to prevent pedestrian accidents. I agree that drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians should pay a $97 fine and that pedestrians who jaywalk should pay a $70 fine. I think it would be even more effective to put drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in prison for life without parole because when you don't stop for a pedestrian, you will either kill or seriously injure the pedestrian. IMHO if drivers knew that they would face life without parole in prison for failing to yield to pedestrians, drivers would be a lot more patient, courteous, and careful. They would leave early so that they would not be in a hurry to get to their destination. Those pedestrian fatalities are utterly inexcusable. Another way to stop pedestrian accidents would be to lower the speed limits so that drivers would not drive so fast that they can't see pedestrians.

[MonkeyMan]

Pedestrians who challenge cars are basically stupid, right-of-way be damned.

Most of the folks who have been run over this year were outside of a crosswalk and decided to "chance um."

They lost.

Then again, I hate these people driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hand glued to their ear. Causing injury or death with your automobile while talking on a cell phone should be an imprisonable offense. Talking on the phone and driving do not mix.

[lavagal]

There seems to be a coincidence in some of these pedestrian fatalities. At least, where there are multiple lanes and crosswalks without the benefit of traffic lights: It seems we have one driver who recognizes the duty to stop when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. Then we have the driver in the car in the next lane who either:
1. Isn't paying attention
2. Sees it as an opportunity to scrape off that car, so accelerates
3. Is hopeful they'll get through before the sloth of a pedestrian gets to their lane.
4. Hit and run?

I told my husband that I thought that maybe the morning accidents were caused in part by drivers facing the glaring sun. But these happen all day. I think Hawaii will top the charts, if it doesn't already, in national rankings of pedestrian fatalities. Sad. Slow down and pay attention.

Something does need to be done. Traffic lights, although a pain in the butt and expensive, are probably the only way all cars will be stopped for pedestrians.

I've also noticed not too many drivers are aware that a new law that went into effect requires that drivers not enter the half of the road where a pedestrian is crossing. I think this is mostly to do with intersections. But still, do you ever cross an intersection and a vehicle is creeping at you, creeping, creeping, like "come on you pain in the butt pedestrian, MOVE IT before I make you a hood ornament!"

[joshuatree]

put drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in prison for life without parole

That would seem to be an awfully expensive way to deal with the issue. Not to mention an explosion in prison population. Better to spend that money on building pedestrian overpasses IMO.

[Leo Lakio]

But still, do you ever cross an intersection and a vehicle is creeping at you, creeping, creeping, like "come on you pain in the butt pedestrian, MOVE IT before I make you a hood ornament!"I used to be that pain-in-the-butt pedestrian, with a holier-than-thou, screw-you-I-have-the-right-of-way-mentality. I used to stare down drivers who dared threaten my crossing rights (ONLY at intersections, I might add, never mid-block.) I used to do worse things that I won't talk about here.

The key words are "used to." I don't do that anymore. A few moments of righteous indignation vs. the risk of death or serious injury --- it took me a while to finally do the math on that equation.

Sure, I may have the right-of-way. Sure, the law may be on my side. I don't want to have that be my only comfort in a hospital bed. I am a far more courteous pedestrian these days (and I've always been a courteous driver, cognizant of the damage a vehicle under my control is capable of wreaking.)

[tutusue]

An 80something lady was killed yesterday afternoon about mile from my home; in front of my home (condo) being the area where another pedestrian was killed last week.

This innocent lady WAS in a crosswalk, albeit no signal. One car stopped; another car didn't see the pedestrian and didn't slow down. Maybe the driver who didn't stop thought the stopped car was making a turn and decided to go around it instead of getting caught behind it. I don't know. That's just a thought. It wasn't a hit and run. I had a condo assoc. meeting to attend last night about a half block from the accident. The police were still on the scene 3 hours later, traffic flow on Farrington was still reduced to 2 lanes and they were still interviewing possible witnesses in the parking lot where the condo owners needed to park.

I find myself becoming a tentative driver and a tentative pedestrian. I feel new anxiety when I walk out the door to head for my car. I don't like that feeling. I'm becoming hyper vigilant which distracts from my driving rather than improving it. The streets are a scary place now. I don't like that either.

And I have no idea how to stop this problem.

[Da Rolling Eye]

Only way is to separate the two. Mayor needs to raise our taxes, again, to build underground. :rolleyes: They already have one on Pali Hwy. in front of the hongwanji so their members can cross to the school campus and back. Also got one at Fort St. Mall, although it's located kinda out of the way. Not on one of the main intersections like Fort St. and King. :confused:....and these have been there for ages.

Face it, too many don't give a darn about the laws or being courteous. Innattentive drivers speed, bikes are ridden on sidewalks and on the wrong side of the road, pedestrians don't pay attention and mek attitude, mopeds are caught in a grey area between bikes and cars and get yelled at by both then scolded by cops. :confused: Hurry up and rush. Wikiwikichopchop.

As there is already one car per household member, now, and the elderly population escalates and the general population increases, it won't come to any satisfactory end anytime soon and fines and jail terms aren't going to work.

[joshuatree]

Only way is to separate the two. Mayor needs to raise our taxes, again, to build underground. :rolleyes: They already have one on Pali Hwy. in front of the hongwanji so their members can cross to the school campus and back. Also got one at Fort St. Mall, although it's located kinda out of the way. Not on one of the main intersections like Fort St. and King. :confused:....and these have been there for ages.

Face it, too many don't give a darn about the laws or being courteous. Innattentive drivers speed, bikes are ridden on sidewalks and on the wrong side of the road, pedestrians don't pay attention and mek attitude, mopeds are caught in a grey area between bikes and cars and get yelled at by both then scolded by cops. :confused: Hurry up and rush. Wikiwikichopchop.

As there is already one car per household member, now, and the elderly population escalates and the general population increases, it won't come to any satisfactory end anytime soon and fines and jail terms aren't going to work.

Yep, pretty much pedestrian overpasses or underpasses seem to be the long term viable solution.

[adrian]

Not only drivers, but pedestrians also gotta help by wearing light colored clothes. I know I'm a broken record on that, but I see too much people (or atleast in the nick of time with my brights on) wearing dark colored clothings while crossing the streets - even if they're in a crosswalk.

The city can also do its part by putting more street lights, maybe around the crosswalks themselves.

[Pomai]

As a DRIVER, here's an idea...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/413156331_363b415fe8_o.gif (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=413156331&size=o)

Place a pedestrian law bumper sticker on your car. Here I basically took the layout from the original HPD flyer and reformatted it into a bumper sticker prototype.

Reason? There's been countless times that I patiently wait for a pedestrian to completely cross my side of the street, then drivers behind my stopped car get mad at ME! :mad:

They'll rev their engines and/or jolt around me while giving ME "stink eye" (and the bird once) as they go speeding by. These impatient drivers either still aren't aware of or don't honor the new law.

Having this on the rear bumper of my car will not only increase public awareness, it will also remind drivers behind me why I'm stopped! ;)

[alohabear]

We always hear in Hawaii that we do EVERYTHING with the "ALOHA SPIRIT", let's all remember to drive that way too.;)

[tutusue]

[...]Reason? There's been countless times that I patiently wait for a pedestrian to completely cross my side of the street, then drivers behind my stopped car get mad at ME! :mad:

They'll rev their engines and/or jolt around me while giving ME "stink eye" (and the bird once) as they go speeding by. These impatient drivers either still aren't aware of or don't honor the new law.[...]
Those kinda drivers won't care about the law. Impatience is impatience. The bumper sticker's a great idea, Pomai, but there will always be impatient drivers who think it doesn't apply to them.

I, too, have had impatient drivers behind me in the same situation. They can rev, honk, flip or stink all they want! Doesn't faze me one iota when I know I'm in the right. Karma will smack 'em good eventually! :D

[Keanu]

All the crosswalks that are independent of stoplights should be removed. There are too many crosswalks in the middle of nowhere.

[Got2HaVKaYaNoW]

I know, SLOW DOWN!!!

[hawaiiguy]

I do believe that we should have many unmarked HPD vehicles strictly looking for violators (be it vehicles or pedestrians).

If this program was advertised to the public, I'd think it would put more people on guard and be more courteous.

On a side note, that small island at the intersection of Punchbowl and So. Beretania St (where vehicles go mauka up on Punchbowl) should be eliminated!

Even with their own traffic lights, pedestrians and drivers are unsure as to each other's intent, and let the pedestrians cross onto the mauka/dh corner of the street when really, it's the drivers that have the right of way!

[tutusue]

The KHON news covered the aftermath of the elderly pedestrian killed in Waianae yesterday. A sad fact...the deceased's family and the driver's family know each other.

Anyway, the news camera caught on tape a teen boy jaywalking on Farrington Hwy. not once, but twice. Living next door to a high school I see jaywalking all the time. It's truly amazing, now that I think about it, that kids aren't hit somewhat regularly. There have been a few pedestrian accidents involving kids in front of Waianae Intermediate.

Both pedestrians and drivers need to step up to the plate.

[MonkeyMan]

As a DRIVER, here's an idea...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/413156331_363b415fe8_o.gif (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=413156331&size=o)

Place a pedestrian law bumper sticker on your car. Here I basically took the layout from the original HPD flyer and reformatted it into a bumper sticker prototype.


Ya know, that's one of the better ideas I've heard so far. If these get produced, I'd put one on my car. Thanks!

[Composite 2992]

People need to take all of this much more seriously.

I was about to make a turn onto Farrington in Waipahu and a pedestrian stepped right out in front of me and never looked toward traffic even once. Granted she had the light but as a pedestrian I always assume the driver doesn't see me unless I can see the driver's eyes.

If I were a careless driver, she could have become yet another statistic.

And on King Street a car goes right through a crosswalk despite a pedestrian being more than halfway through the crosswalk. And a police car was less than a hundred feet away -- but the driver never got stopped and cited.

Whether you're a driver or a pedestrian, always assume the other guy will do the most stupid thing possible. Because I've seen exactly that happen way too often! And it doesn't help that the vast majority of people just don't have any sense of self-preservation and are generally unaware of what's going on around them.

[WindwardOahuRN]

I think one of the worst "helpful" inventions has to be that "okay you can safely cross the street now" light. The one with the white figure who looks like he is beginning to break dance.

It gives a very false sense of security. I believe people tend to look at that damn light instead of using their senses to assess the dangers as they venture into the crosswalk.

When I was a kid we used to go ice skating on a pond. A regular scrappy pond, surrounded by marshy growth, subject to areas of thin ice. As time went by, "progress" dictated that the town oversee the skating conditions on that pond. Cones went up in areas of thin ice, signs went up declaring the pond unfit for skating.

Fer crapsakes. We learned, very early on, that black ice was unsafe. If you heard that subtle CRACK sound, you very gingerly got the hell off the thin ice. If you blew it, you crashed through that thin ice, got wet, and walked home freezing your ass off.

Now, people who want to skate that pond pay attention only to the sign hanging in the new gazebo near the pond. They have lost their ability to judge the appropriateness of the pond for skating, relying only on the town-sanctioned sign. And they are finding themselves in icy water with alarming frequency. They often follow their icy dips with threats of litigation. It is the town's fault, after all---they were relying on those signs to keep them safe.

So it is with the "okay to cross the street now, dear" signals. People don't LOOK anymore, except at the signs which have no ability to assess danger.

People have to go back to relying on themselves and their instincts for survival, assuming that those instincts are not so blunted by lack of use as to be virtually non-existent.

Look both ways, then look again. Expect the unexpected. Assume that others will NOT "do the right thing."

And what the heck---wear a tin-foil hat, just in case. :D

[tutusue]

Whether my memory is accurate or not, I'm remembering crosswalk flags when I lived in a small town in SoCal. There was a container secured to a post on each side of the street. When crossing one would hold the long stick with the bright colored flag; a flag that was high enough to be seen over cars from cars behind. The flags were deposited in the container on the other side of the street.

I guess nowadays those flags would disappear within minutes, never to be found again. Too bad because it was a simple, inexpensive idea and I seem to remember it working! :o

[Leo Lakio]

And what the heck---wear a tin-foil hat, just in case. :DI wear one (http://eclectech.co.uk/mindcontrol.php) during meetings at work.Whether my memory is accurate or not, I'm remembering crosswalk flags when I lived in a small town in SoCal. There was a container secured to a post on each side of the street. When crossing one would hold the long stick with the bright colored flag; a flag that was high enough to be seen over cars from cars behind. The flags were deposited in the container on the other side of the street.
I guess nowadays those flags would disappear within minutes, never to be found again. Too bad because it was a simple, inexpensive idea and I seem to remember it working! :oI've seen them still in use in some communities, such as Kirkland, WA, at a crosswalk near a school. It does seem sensible.

[joshuatree]

Whether my memory is accurate or not, I'm remembering crosswalk flags when I lived in a small town in SoCal. There was a container secured to a post on each side of the street. When crossing one would hold the long stick with the bright colored flag; a flag that was high enough to be seen over cars from cars behind. The flags were deposited in the container on the other side of the street.

I guess nowadays those flags would disappear within minutes, never to be found again. Too bad because it was a simple, inexpensive idea and I seem to remember it working! :o

I've seen a modern day equivalent of that in SoCal. For a crosswalk with no traffic lights, it has the crosswalk buttons on either side. When you press it, there's no traffic light but there are a bunch of blinkers built into the road like reflectors that flash for like 30 seconds as the pedestrian crosses. Foolproof? Hardly....but it does alert drivers with the blinking lights.

[adrian]

While walking home today, two cars didn't stop when entering a road from a mini-mart - even when I made eye contact (with the stink eye) and they looked at me - and the light a few feet away was red. Maybe I should buy those air horns and blast it when there's an idiot driver. :D

[LikaNui]

A young mother pushing a grocery cart in front of Safeway, with a months-old baby in the cart and a 3- or 4-year-old alongside, stepped right into traffic on Kam Highway about an hour ago... not in a crosswalk, and never looked either way even once.
Guess she was too busy talking on her darned cell phone to think about the incredible danger she put her children in.
DARNED lucky several of us swerved and missed her. :mad:

[Da Rolling Eye]

I saw the coverage of an accident a few days ago and they showed a lady using a crossing flag. They talked to her husband about it and it's effectiveness and showed the footage again. The lady wasn't crossing in a crosswalk. :confused:

[craigwatanabe]

Maybe streets need to be barricaded like our freeways with pedestrian overpasses.

Better yet make all streets underground with pedestrian parkways on the ground.

Can you imagine Kapiolani BLVD underground and the roadway itself a nice greenbelt of sidewalks and park benches...for our homeless to sleep on...hmmmm maybe not.:(

[WindwardOahuRN]

I wear one (http://eclectech.co.uk/mindcontrol.php) during meetings at work..


Damn you. I have been singing that ridiculous ditty all day. I thought I was over it until I saw the giant rolls of aluminum foil at Costco.
:eek:

[Random]

I have been thinking about ways to prevent pedestrian accidents.
Ban cars. Cars the only reason why we have pedestrian accidents. Not like you can have a fatality involving two pedestrians only (no car).

[MonkeyMan]

Ban cars. Cars the only reason why we have pedestrian accidents. Not like you can have a fatality involving two pedestrians only (no car).

Ban pedestrians, too, while you're at it. Then we'll be totally safe. Everybody ride horse.

[Leo Lakio]

Everybody ride horse.Gonna build me a palanquin factory.

[Random]

Ban pedestrians, too, while you're at it. Then we'll be totally safe. Everybody ride horse.
Nothing's quite like the feeling of a toddler being trampled under the horsehoes, eh?

[Random]

I have been thinking about ways to prevent pedestrian accidents. I agree that drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians should pay a $97 fine and that pedestrians who jaywalk should pay a $70 fine.
Is it me or should the fine be doubled for drivers operating a potentially lethal weapon (at least twice the pedestrian's fine: $140)?

[Pomai]

Obviously the current new law has no teeth. I just witnessed at least 8 cars making right turns, cutting in front of pedestrians on their half of the road (the clipping effect). 6 of those 8 within visible view of a police cruiser and subsidized police vehicle (2 separate intersections). All got away without consequence. :confused:

Then, this girl in a compact makes a abrupt left from Kapiolani to Atkinson while talking on her cellphone, cutting behind a pedestrian who ends up having to run out of the way, then has the nerve, while on still on her phone, to slow and stare down the pedestrian! :mad:

Unbelievable.

[Composite 2992]

In these times of immediate gratification, fines and warnings are meaningless.

Forget handing colorful flags to pedestrians crossing streets.

Hand 'em a shotgun instead. People become amazingly polite when staring down the barrel of a 12-gauge Remington.

Also, install a 12-inch steel spike sticking out the center of every steering wheel. That should discourage drivers from doing anything that would cause them to come to a sudden stop and getting stabbed in the chest.

[MonkeyMan]

Hey! We should install several of the 12" spikes on the front bumpers of all the cars, too! Those pedestrians will think twice before stepping blindly into the street!

And it will have the side-benefit of sparing them the pain and agony of a slow death from head trauma, should they get hit. The spikes will help in putting them quickly out of their misery.

YEAH!!! :D

[Random]

Hand 'em a shotgun instead. People become amazingly polite when staring down the barrel of a 12-gauge Remington.
Only if there is no waiting period and pedestrian must show proof of not owning a car.

Also, modify self-defense law that would allow pedestrian to justifiably shoot the driver (be it adult or minor) from any angle and within 48 hours.

[tutusue]

Just today I saw a new "approach" to pedestrians in a crosswalk. I was driving behind a van on Farrington Hwy. not far from Waianae High School...a dangerous stretch of road...2 pedestrian fatalities in the past month. The van's driver suddenly laid on the horn; didn't just tap it a couple of times. There was no sign of brake lights. We were about a block from the next crosswalk so it took me a few seconds to realize what was happening. A man, woman and a baby in a stroller had stepped off the curb to cross the street. The van's driver would have no part of honoring the right of way even tho' s/he had way more than enough time to stop. Fortunately the pedestrians didn't take any chances and jumped back up on the curb. Again...no brake lights on the part of the van. It blasted right thru the crosswalk. My only hope, to even begin to justify such stupid, selfish behavior, is that the van contained someone with a medical emergency. :mad:

[Honoruru]

The van's driver suddenly laid on the horn; didn't just tap it a couple of times.

Several years ago (maybe more), I remember crossing King and Punahou (always rated as one of the worst intersection for pedestiran and auto accidents). I was on one side of the street, a sweet-looking girl, calmly eating an ice cream, was on the other. The light changed, we crossed, we passed one another, and when I was 3/4 of the way across, I heard behind me the angry beeping of a car/truck/van trying to intimidate the girl to "get-out-of-the-way, because I'm coming through." But the sweet-looking girl was a real tita and she threw him a finger, as well as every known invective known to man. She almost chased the vehicle down. I wished she did.

[IBadget]

Just today I saw a new "approach" to pedestrians in a crosswalk. I was driving behind a van on Farrington Hwy. not far from Waianae High School...a dangerous stretch of road...2 pedestrian fatalities in the past month. The van's driver suddenly laid on the horn; didn't just tap it a couple of times. There was no sign of brake lights. We were about a block from the next crosswalk so it took me a few seconds to realize what was happening. A man, woman and a baby in a stroller had stepped off the curb to cross the street. The van's driver would have no part of honoring the right of way even tho' s/he had way more than enough time to stop. Fortunately the pedestrians didn't take any chances and jumped back up on the curb. Again...no brake lights on the part of the van. It blasted right thru the crosswalk. My only hope, to even begin to justify such stupid, selfish behavior, is that the van contained someone with a medical emergency. :mad:

I think the van driver who blasted the horn to deny the pedestrians the right-of-way should have her license revoked. Drivers should put pedestrians first. The drivers who are refusing to yield to pedestrians think that they are God Almighty and can drive however they want, never mind that there are pedestrians crossing the street. Talk about insensitive, arrogant, self-important, and reckless drivers. I'm all for very tough penalties for the bad drivers. How dare they refuse to yield to pedestrians!

Drivers need to change their attitudes and drive slowly so that they don't kill or injure pedestrians. There ought to be a zero-tolerance policy against intimidating pedestrians. Intimidate a pedestrian once and your license must be revoked. Look out for pedestrians and let them take their own sweet time to cross the street. Do not start moving until all of the pedestrians are finished crossing. There simply is no excuse for being in a hurry to drive to your destination. Pedestrians come first, drivers second.

[zff]

I know I’ll get flamed for this post because I’ll bring up a very unpopular point-of-view and offer no solution. I bring it up only because no one has yet.

I was hit by a car once when I was a kid, crossing Waipahu St. at Paiwa. I was in the crosswalk, I had the light, but the driver – who was making a right on to Waipahu – was looking for cars coming down the street and didn’t look my way. She managed to slam on her brakes just before hitting me, so luckily, I was fine.

I can certainly sympathize with the plight of the pedestrian, but I think laws that empower pedestrians are a mistake. Pedestrians should not feel empowered against cars because they have no power against cars. Nobody should feel completely safe crossing a street because it’s not completely safe to cross a street.

The law makes it more the driver’s responsibility to avoid pedestrians than it is the pedestrian’s responsibility to avoid cars. I can certainly understand why the law is geared this way, but I think it’s a fundamental mistake. This kind of mentality emboldens pedestrians in a situation they have very little chance of surviving.

I’ve seen many people very nearly get hit by cars in the exact same way I got hit: crossing a street, a driver next to you only looking the other way for cars, then accelerating into you. The odd thing is, most times, the pedestrian can see that the driver doesn’t see them, but they cross anyway. Almost always in these situations, the pedestrian will act surprised when the driver almost hits them. Many times the pedestrian will show anger toward the apologetic driver.

In the situation I just described, I believe the driver is 100% at fault, but I bring it up to illustrate how laws empower and embolden pedestrians. It’s human nature. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you’re thinking "if he hits me, it’s his fault", and somehow, that makes what you’re about to do less risky. I think everyone’s done this before; I know I have. I think a lot of people do this all the time.

If you take away some legal protection from pedestrians, they’re far less likely to think this way, and I believe it will greatly reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities. If you knew the driver that might hit you will not have to answer for it, you’d be far more cautious. Although pragmatic, I think this attitude is much too unfair for pedestrians. If there is a good solution, it lies somewhere else, but somewhere that takes what I’ve said into consideration.

As I’ve stated in the beginning, I offer no solution. Hang on while I put on my flame suit.

[tutusue]

[...]As I’ve stated in the beginning, I offer no solution. Hang on while I put on my flame suit.
Zff...you have wonderfully articulated the same thoughts I've been unable to articulate. I completely agree with you while I, too, have no solution. All I know is that both pedestrians and drivers need to be more careful and held accountable for their own mistakes.

If there's a flame suit in my size, please grab it for me! :D

[zff]

^^ Thank you. I'm relieved the first response isn't a flame.


Ok, I gave it some thought during lunch, and this is what I came up with.

Make it a law that drivers are required to acknowledge pedestrians in front of them by putting on their hazards, whether or not the pedestrian is crossing (or is about to cross) legally. You put your hazards on as soon as you see the pedestrian, not after you've stopped for him/her. It would be like signaling for a lane-change or a turn; a way to communicate your intentions.

By putting on their hazards, drivers are saying "I see you and will let you pass safely across my lane in front of me". Putting on your hazards and not allowing safe passage would be a grave crime, probably something like attempted vehicular homicide.

There will probably be a lot of drivers who forget to put their hazards on. They could be cited for that, and it'd be a more serious infraction than not signaling for a turn or lane change.

Pedestrians would only feel safe crossing a lane if they see a car in it with its hazards on. If they see a car w/o its hazards on, they won't cross. If they don't see a car in the lane at all, they will cross with more caution, watching for an approaching car and looking to see if it'll put its hazards on (you'd hope).

....and now for what I'm sure will be the most controversial part: If a pedestrian gets hit by a car that didn't have its hazards on, the driver would not be held accountable for hitting the pedestrian, even if the pedestrian was crossing legally. (Unless of course, there was evidence the driver ran the pedestrian down intentionally -- but that's a different crime entirely.)

I'm sure there will also be a lot of a**hole drivers who will simply not put their hazards on and scare pedestrians into staying on the sidewalk. That would be treated as a pretty serious crime with quite substantial penalties, but at least no one will try to cross in front of them. Again, I know it's unfair for the pedestrians, but so is being hit by a car.

[tutusue]

[...]Ok, I gave it some thought during lunch, and this is what I came up with.[...]
Hmmm...I like your idea, in theory! Using one's hazard lights might be problematic, tho'. Ditto for getting the public to use a new idea. But, let's use your thoughts as a springboard.

I like the idea of a signaling system. Possibly, eventually, a "pedestrian signal light" could be added to new cars...or an aftermarket signal could be added to older cars. Maybe something with an on button on the steering wheel for ease of use...the signal light itself on a timer that would turn itself off after a predetermined time. Now that I think about it, the system should include rear lights so that cars behind are made aware of a pedestrian situation.

Of course, this doesn't address sight impaired pedestrians.

Next!

[joshuatree]

What about plain old pedestrian overpasses? Seems like a simple yet effective solution. You don't have pedestrians attempting to cross freeways. If a stretch of road is THAT dangerous, it's time to separate the vehicular traffic from the foot traffic.

[Leo Lakio]

What about plain old pedestrian overpasses? Seems like a simple yet effective solution. You don't have pedestrians attempting to cross freeways. If a stretch of road is THAT dangerous, it's time to separate the vehicular traffic from the foot traffic.True, but won't you incur the wrath of those who (a) don't want to budget the money for them, and/or (b) won't like how they affect the beautiful views for which Hawai`i is famed?

[tutusue]

The news reported this evening that during 2005 Hawaii was #4 in the nation for pedestrian deaths. I'm all for pedestrian overpasses (with bus stops next to them) but we'll sure need a lot of 'em!

[joshuatree]

True, but won't you incur the wrath of those who (a) don't want to budget the money for them, and/or (b) won't like how they affect the beautiful views for which Hawai`i is famed?

You're right, budget and those with the silly argument of views will probably be a huge obstacle. Though I think when you have X number of pedestrian fatalities on a given roadway, that should really supersede arguments of views and cost. Besides, some pedestrian overpasses in places like Europe are downright cool looking and artistic. I bet you there are plenty of up and coming architects willing to put their name on a design.

Underpasses can also be done although I tend to think those would invite unwanted activities at night.

[lavagal]

What about plain old pedestrian overpasses? Seems like a simple yet effective solution. You don't have pedestrians attempting to cross freeways. If a stretch of road is THAT dangerous, it's time to separate the vehicular traffic from the foot traffic.

We have one out here in Hawaii Kai, our family uses it when we walk the girls to school on ocasion. But you'd be surprised at all of the adults who perhaps just got of the bus or are leaving Koko Marina Shopping Center who don't use it. They run like heck across Kalanianaole Hwy. This particular one is all ramp, no steps, so I like the small challenge it provides my heart. Being careful is too much trouble for some people.

I have a column coming out next week about pedestrian safety and it will be on the site all month, just like they always are.

[tutusue]

You're right, budget and those with the silly argument of views will probably be a huge obstacle.[...]
Altho' off topic for this thread, this mentality prevails at my condo building. There's an ugly, rusted chainlink fence on the beach side property line. On the property side of that fence is a hedge that is kept trimmed about 18" to 24" below the top of the fence at the request of the ground floor units owners. For anyone walking on the public beach side of the fence, that fence is very easy to jump and gain access to the property. I've recommended to the Board that the hedge be allowed to grow and envelope the fence to help discourage trespassing and potential lawsuits against the condo association by people getting injured. The view beat out the liability factor! :(

[IBadget]

Here is a solution I have been thinking of last night. All vehicles should be equipped with sensors to detect pedestrians, other vehicles, and other obstacles. When the sensor detects pedestrians, other vehicles, or other obstacles, the vehicle would stop automatically. The driver would not have to manually slam on the brakes to stop the vehicle. It would be impossible for a**hole drivers to kill or injure other people.

Until all vehicles are equipped with stop sensors, a**hole drivers should have their licenses revoked and the driver's license test should be modified to determine if the potential driver is likely to be a good driver or a bad driver. One way to modify the test would be to include oral questions regarding what prospective drivers would do when they see pedestrians crossing the street. The examiner would take into account the potential driver's tone of voice, facial expressions, and verbal answers to judge whether the prospective driver is in a position to look out for pedestrians. Weeding out the bad drivers this way would eliminate pedestrian accidents.

[joshuatree]

Here is a solution I have been thinking of last night. All vehicles should be equipped with sensors to detect pedestrians, other vehicles, and other obstacles. When the sensor detects pedestrians, other vehicles, or other obstacles, the vehicle would stop automatically. The driver would not have to manually slam on the brakes to stop the vehicle. It would be impossible for a**hole drivers to kill or injure other people.

But what if the pedestrian around the car is a carjacker? Then how would the driver get out of that situation? Or what if it's an object like tumbleweed blowing across the roadway. Would the car automatically slam its brakes?

[1stwahine]

Sadly, another Elderly pedestrian got hit this morning. :(

Auntie Lynn

[Leo Lakio]

Here is a solution I have been thinking of last night. All vehicles should be equipped with sensors to detect pedestrians, other vehicles, and other obstacles. When the sensor detects pedestrians, other vehicles, or other obstacles, the vehicle would stop automatically. The driver would not have to manually slam on the brakes to stop the vehicle.Wow.
If you think the roadways are like parking lots during rush hour now, imagine if this system were in place.

An empty styrofoam cooler blows across the Pali Highway; the sensor slams on a car's brakes. The sensor of the car behind it does the same when it senses a stopped car in front of it, and so on, and so on...

That's assuming EVERY car has been retroactively equipped with this system (paid for by who?)

And of course, that scenario would only happen on the days when it is windy over the Pali.:p

[1stwahine]

In The Advertiser 5:08 a.m. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Mar/31/br/br3980654127.html

Pedestrian accident reported at Liliha and N. Kuakini

"Police, firefighers and city paramedics have been sent to the corner of Liliha and North Kuakini streets to check of a report that a pedestrian was hit by a car."

Again.:(

Auntie Lynn

[lavagal]

My .02 is featured in my column this month in the East Oahu Sun; see the link below. It's a little long, but I get paid by the word, and it might fill the gas tank. Why couldn't I love Web design? Finance? Medicine?

[1stwahine]

Once again, like many times before you wrote juss like it should be told...the TRUTH!!!!!

BRAVO!!!

Lynn

[Stephen]

I must admit that I have not read through this thread, however (howevah) I read the title and have an answer. Tell everyone you know to tell everyone they know to drive a little more careful. Those right on reds and crosswalks we sometimes ignore should move to the forefront. I just moved back to the Mainland and am disappointed with the way people drive here - no concern for anyone else. . . .

[lavagal]

I must admit that I have not read through this thread, however (howevah) I read the title and have an answer. Tell everyone you know to tell everyone they know to drive a little more careful. Those right on reds and crosswalks we sometimes ignore should move to the forefront. I just moved back to the Mainland and am disappointed with the way people drive here - no concern for anyone else. . . .

Well, I renewed this thread because I was hoping people would read my column that's provided in the link below. Thanks for jumping in.

[adrian]

Looks like they're going undercover (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Apr/05/ln/FP704050355.html)



Police are expanding an ongoing initiative to make street crossings safer, sending in less-conspicuous plainclothes officers to cite pedestrians and motorists who violate road rules.

"We want people to change their behavior, not just change when a policeman is around," said Lt. Jerry Wojcik, coordinator of the Honolulu Police Department's pedestrian safety campaign task force. "Pedestrians should be looking at traffic first, not for a policeman."

The nonuniformed officers will be assigned to different locations in Honolulu as soon as today, he said.

Let the fun begin!