Pedestrians, drivers reminded of laws

HPD offers tips for pedestrians' and drivers' safety

While pedestrians and motorists may argue who has the right of way, a Honolulu police lieutenant narrows the discussion to one key question: Who has the most to lose?

"It would be the pedestrians," said Lt. Jerry Wojcik, head of the Honolulu Police Department's pedestrian safety campaign. "Rarely is the driver going to be killed if he hits a pedestrian."

"If you have the most to lose, you should be more aware and more careful of what you do," Wojcik said yesterday.

Wojcik said it is against the law for pedestrians to enter a crosswalk from the curb if the pedestrian signal is blinking. Those already in the crosswalk when the signal starts to blink are not affected. The blinking light for pedestrians who are already in the crosswalk is to warn them to get off the road as soon as possible, Wojcik said.

He also reminded motorists that it is against the law to overtake and pass a vehicle that is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway.

According to the 1971 pedestrian law in the Hawaii Revised Statutes, "Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle."

On Monday afternoon, 80-year-old Tapu Neddemeyer was killed while crossing Farrington Highway near Pokai Bay. A car traveling Honolulu-bound in the makai-most lane stopped to let her pass. But Neddemeyer was struck by another car traveling in the second lane.

According to state transportation officials, three fatal or critical pedestrian accidents have occurred since last week. In those cases, one driver braked for the pedestrian but the driver in the next lane did not stop, according to state transportation officials.

It's a common problem that motorists get impatient and drive around stopped vehicles, Wojcik said.

He recommended that motorists on multilane roadways place their hand outside of the window at a downward angle to let other motorists know that they have stopped for a reason. "It might save a life, too," he said.

The pedestrian- and driver-safety campaign has already prompted some people to change their behavior.

Arma Oana, a probation officer at Family Court, said she is making an effort to use crosswalks after she heard about police officers citing jaywalkers.

"Normally I would jaywalk," Oana, 48, said. "I don't want to pay for a ticket."

Oana said she was spooked by the high number of pedestrians killed only three months into the year. "It's an avoidable thing," she said.

So far this year, 10 pedestrians have been killed on Oahu, compared with 20 for all of last year.

Pedestrian Clifford Brown, 84, said he appreciates police officers' efforts to keep the streets safe. "I think it's good that the city is looking out for our safety," he said.

STAR-BULLETIN / 2005 The rate of recent pedestrian deaths has officials concerned. Ways for pedestrians and drivers to stay safe Tips for pedestrians: » Cross the street only when the "walk" light is on. Do not begin crossing the street when the "don't walk" light is blinking or is steady. » Always walk within marked crosswalks. » Never dash across streets, particularly on a multilane road. » Yield to approaching vehicles while crossing even if you have the right of way. Oncoming vehicles may reach you faster than you anticipate. » Be especially careful of vehicles that may turn right on red or turn left at an intersection. Drivers may be busy looking out for other vehicles instead of pedestrians. » Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you. » If buses or other large vehicles are blocking your view, wait for them to pass before crossing. Tips for motorists: » Stay focused and alert for pedestrians. » Stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk when they are crossing on your half of the road. » Stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is approaching from the opposite half of the roadway and is close enough to be in danger. » Stop for a pedestrian when making a turn and he or she is in the half of the roadway that your vehicle is entering. » Look out for pedestrians who may be hidden by other vehicles that have stopped. » Be extra vigilant when driving at dawn or dusk. » Anticipate the difficulties of senior citizens or young children crossing the street. On the Net » www.honolulupd.org/community/traffic/pedestrian.htm » www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs BACK TO TOP CROSSWALK QUIZ ANSWERS Answers to test questions: 1. True 2. False 3. True