Pedestrian accidents and fatalities in Hawaii have raised concerns on both safety and prevention. A hot-topic of discussion, many are unclear of the law when it comes to crosswalk safety for drivers and pedestrians.
According to the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation and the Honolulu Police Department, under Hawaii's traffic laws:
• The law requires drivers to come to a complete stop and yield the right of way when pedestrians are on your half of the roadway, or approaching so closely from the opposite half of the road as to be in imminent danger.
• If a car is stopped at an intersection to let a pedestrian cross, any vehicle to the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
• Drivers must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk while executing a right or left turn and the pedestrian is in the half of the roadway that your vehicle is entering.
• Drivers emerging from or entering an alley, building, private road, or driveway must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk extending over this area.
The fine for drivers who do not stop for pedestrians is $97 to $107.
Pedestrian Cautions
• The law does not require a motorist to stop for a pedestrian on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street. The pedestrian must be crossing within the crosswalk.
• No pedestrian shall leave the curb or sidewalk and walk into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
• Pedestrians should cross the street only at the corner or at a crosswalk and should not cross into the street diagonally to the cross walk.
• A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
However, drivers who encounter a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must exercise caution from colliding with the pedestrian by sounding the driver's horn in warning (when necessary) and should exercise proper precaution upon observing any child.
The penalty for pedestrians violating these laws is $130.
Pedestrian Signals
• No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the "Don't Walk" or "Upraised Palm" signal, whether flashing or steady.
• Any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian crossing on the "Walk" or "Walking Person" signal shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island while the "Don't Walk" or "Upraised Palm" signal is showing.
• Pedestrians shall obey instructions on any traffic-control device specifically applicable, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
A survey conducted by the AARP has summarized the following locations with the highest number of issues concerning crossing the street, sidewalks, safety and the greatest need for improvements in their pedestrian environments (comfort and appeal).
Island Neighborhood Location
Hawaii Hilo Haili Street & Kamehameha Avenue
Oahu Ala Moana Keeaumoku Street Kapiolani Boulevard
Oahu Kailua Kuulei Road Kailua Road
Oahu Kaneohe Kamehameha Highway @ Senior Residence Kaneohe
Oahu Kaneohe Kahuhipa Street and Kawa Street
Oahu Waikiki Ala Moana Boulevard Hobron Lane
Oahu Waianae Farrington Highway @ Waianae High
The Honolulu Police Department and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation offer safety tips as well as current laws and regulations for both pedestrians and drivers. For more information, visit: www.honolulupd.org/community/traffic/pedestrian 2.htm or www.hawaii.gov/dot/walkwisehawaii.
To find out how much you could save with an Island Insurance homeowner's insurance Policy or for more information about our discounts and Personal auto insurance policy, personal auto insurance coverage visit website.
According to the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation and the Honolulu Police Department, under Hawaii's traffic laws:
• The law requires drivers to come to a complete stop and yield the right of way when pedestrians are on your half of the roadway, or approaching so closely from the opposite half of the road as to be in imminent danger.
• If a car is stopped at an intersection to let a pedestrian cross, any vehicle to the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
• Drivers must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk while executing a right or left turn and the pedestrian is in the half of the roadway that your vehicle is entering.
• Drivers emerging from or entering an alley, building, private road, or driveway must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk extending over this area.
The fine for drivers who do not stop for pedestrians is $97 to $107.
Pedestrian Cautions
• The law does not require a motorist to stop for a pedestrian on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street. The pedestrian must be crossing within the crosswalk.
• No pedestrian shall leave the curb or sidewalk and walk into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
• Pedestrians should cross the street only at the corner or at a crosswalk and should not cross into the street diagonally to the cross walk.
• A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
However, drivers who encounter a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must exercise caution from colliding with the pedestrian by sounding the driver's horn in warning (when necessary) and should exercise proper precaution upon observing any child.
The penalty for pedestrians violating these laws is $130.
Pedestrian Signals
• No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the "Don't Walk" or "Upraised Palm" signal, whether flashing or steady.
• Any pedestrian who has partially completed the pedestrian crossing on the "Walk" or "Walking Person" signal shall complete the crossing to a sidewalk or safety island while the "Don't Walk" or "Upraised Palm" signal is showing.
• Pedestrians shall obey instructions on any traffic-control device specifically applicable, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
A survey conducted by the AARP has summarized the following locations with the highest number of issues concerning crossing the street, sidewalks, safety and the greatest need for improvements in their pedestrian environments (comfort and appeal).
Island Neighborhood Location
Hawaii Hilo Haili Street & Kamehameha Avenue
Oahu Ala Moana Keeaumoku Street Kapiolani Boulevard
Oahu Kailua Kuulei Road Kailua Road
Oahu Kaneohe Kamehameha Highway @ Senior Residence Kaneohe
Oahu Kaneohe Kahuhipa Street and Kawa Street
Oahu Waikiki Ala Moana Boulevard Hobron Lane
Oahu Waianae Farrington Highway @ Waianae High
The Honolulu Police Department and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation offer safety tips as well as current laws and regulations for both pedestrians and drivers. For more information, visit: www.honolulupd.org/community/traffic/pedestrian 2.htm or www.hawaii.gov/dot/walkwisehawaii.
To find out how much you could save with an Island Insurance homeowner's insurance Policy or for more information about our discounts and Personal auto insurance policy, personal auto insurance coverage visit website.
