Change street signals to improve safety of pedestrians

THE ISSUE Many traffic signals don't give people enough time to cross streets safely, a survey shows.

AS IN most U.S. cities, streets in Honolulu and other Hawaii counties are designed primarily to move vehicles as quickly as possible, but that need for speed also forces foot traffic to move hastily. The high number of pedestrian fatalities here should compel state and county traffic officials to rethink the way highways, sidewalks, crossing areas, bikeways, signals and road signs are constructed with safety for all users in mind.

A recent survey of 81 crosswalks at 50 intersections showed that 37 percent did not provide enough time for a physically able person to get from one side of the road to the other. At 48 percent of the crosswalks, a person with limited abilities could not make it across in time.

Conducted by AARP Hawaii, the survey found that at some of Hawaii's busiest intersections, pedestrians were given less than 10 seconds to cross.

In addition, poles, signs, plants, broken pavement and other obstructions hindered pedestrians at 59 percent of the sites. Moreover, speeding drivers or cars that stopped in crosswalks caused problems for those on foot.

Hawaii has the 11th-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the nation and the highest pedestrian fatality rate among residents 65 and older, AARP says. With the city likely to build a rail transit system, more people can be expected to be on foot, making pedestrian safety all the more important.

AARP has suggested that an intersection be chosen to experiment with features that could enhance safety. It is a good idea, one that traffic planners should take up.

City and state road regulations also should be reviewed as new housing developments are proposed. Suburban street designs generally focus on ease of vehicular movement. For example, rounded sidewalk curbs at corners help drivers turn their cars smoothly, but also allow them to maintain speed. In older neighborhoods, corners are more angular, forcing cars to slow down.

The survey found that the No. 1 site that needs improvement is on Farrington Highway at Waianae High School. Another danger point is at a Kaneohe senior residence. Streets that front schools, hospitals, elderly housing and high-rise buildings should be examined to ensure that both cars and pedestrians can use them without increased risk.

Many rural neighborhoods don't even have sidewalks, a minimal safety feature for highways where traffic moves at high speeds.

AARP proposes a number of measures to boost safety. Among them are enforcement -- ticketing irresponsible drivers. That should include irresponsible pedestrians who ignore "Don't walk" signs or who jaywalk.

However, the most effective method to reduce fatalities would be for all who use the roads to be mindful of others.