AARP spearheads sidewalk safety day

AARP Hawaii is sponsoring a National Day of Service project this Thursday to evaluate roadways for pedestrian safety.

In the face of growing concern that Hawaii's streets are unacceptably dangerous for people on foot, the AARP staff, volunteers and community partners will gather at intersections across the state, according to an AARP announcement.

On Thursday afternoon, teams of volunteers on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai will conduct "walkability" assessments along many of the busiest roads -- including areas identified by the state Department of Transportation as the most dangerous areas for pedestrians.

Each team will record its observations on standardized audit forms. These sessions will allow volunteers to share their observations with elected officials, traffic engineers and law enforcement officers.

According to AARP, 36 pedestrians were killed -- 13 of them in crosswalks -- last year. From 1999 to 2004 more than 67 percent of the 169 pedestrians who lost their lives in Hawaii were over the age of 50, AARP said.

The service project is being held in cooperation with county officials on all islands as well as the Department of Transportation's Walk Wise Hawaii public education program. AARP is also incorporating pedestrian safety information into its popular Driver Safety Program, which provides people 50-plus with the skills to be mobile and independent as they age.

Anyone interested in volunteering for this project may call 545-6003.