AARP Hawaii's Day of Service Focuses on Pedestrian Safety
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-05-22 12:08:01.257079-04:00
More than 240 AARP staff, volunteers and community partners gathered at intersections across the state on May 11 to evaluate roadways for pedestrian safety. AARP Hawaii devoted its Day of Service project to pedestrian safety in the face of growing concern that Hawaii's streets are unacceptably dangerous for people on foot.
Hawaii's pedestrian fatality rate ranks seventh in the nation despite the strengthening last year of a law requiring motorists to yield the right of way to pedestrians. The fine for violating this law is $97.
In 2005 alone, 36 pedestrians were killed—13 of them in crosswalks. From 1999 to 2004 about two-thirds of the 169 pedestrians who lost their lives in Hawaii were over the age of 50.
Hawaii's Day of Service project was aimed at raising awareness of how motorists and pedestrians can co-exist safely by identifying structural and behavioral changes that may help make neighborhoods safer for people of all ages. Examples include modifying signals to allow for easier crossing and educating pedestrians on steps they can take to decrease the risk of personal injury.
Teams of volunteers on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai conducted 'walkability' assessments along many of Hawaii's busiest streets—including areas identified by the state Department of Transportation (DOT) as the most dangerous areas for pedestrians.
Each team recorded its observations on standardized audit forms. Completed forms were collected at debriefing sessions on all islands. The Honolulu debriefing was attended by representatives of the state DOT, the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services, the Honolulu Police Department and the city's Elderly Affairs Division.
The statewide community service project was held in cooperation with Walk Wise Hawaii, a public-education program aimed at promoting safe crossing techniques and driver awareness. AARP is also incorporating pedestrian safety information into its popular Driver Safety Program in Hawaii. The Driver Safety Program provides people 50+ with the skills to be mobile and independent as they age.
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