Police sound alarm on pedestrian safety

Some intersections will have increased crosswalk enforcement to help prevent deaths

Honolulu police are targeting pedestrian "trouble spots" with enforcement and education to reduce fatalities and accidents.

Crossroads of concern Here are some of the dangerous intersections that police will be monitoring: HONOLULU Beretania and Piikoi streets North King Street and Iwilei Road North King and Palama streets Dillingham Boulevard and McNeill Street Dillingham Boulevard and Kaaahi Street SALT LAKE Ala Ilima and Ala Lilikoi streets

In addition to increasing enforcement at these intersections, district officers will conduct safety presentations with groups like the AARP, various neighborhood boards and schools. They also will work with the state's pedestrian safety campaign, Walkwise Hawaii.

"Each of the eight districts will coordinate their information with our Traffic Division," said Honolulu Police Department spokesman Maj. Alan Bluemke. "We're trying to get an overall picture and then tackle the problems."

The Police Department was not able to provide a complete list of trouble spots for pedestrians because it will be changing, Bluemke said.

As of yesterday there have been 10 pedestrian fatalities this year, as opposed to 13 last year.

The trouble spots were characterized as intersections with the most fatalities and vehicle-pedestrian collisions over the past year and a half.

Uniformed officers will be present at the intersections to issue citations to drivers and pedestrians. It will be up to each district commander whether to use plainclothes officers.

"It will be at all hours," Bluemke said.

Police said the majority of pedestrian fatalities occur outside marked crosswalks and intersections. About two pedestrians a day are hit by vehicles.

"Motorists are asked to concentrate on the road and watch for pedestrians trying to cross streets," said police Maj. Susan Dowsett, head of the Traffic Safety Division. "Pedestrians are urged to cross in crosswalks and to make eye contact with drivers. Never assume that a driver sees you."

Dowsett said the goal is to reduce pedestrian collisions by 10 percent. Police officials will be evaluating data every six months.