AARP Survey Finds Hawaii Residents at Risk
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-08-21 16:33:21.137187-04:00
An AARP Hawaii survey of more than 50 of the state's busiest intersections confirms what many residents have suspected for years: Hawaii is one of the most dangerous places in the nation to be a pedestrian.
The Hawaii Pedestrian Safety report, compiled and written by the state Department of Health Injury Prevention and Control Program is based on audits conducted by more than 250 volunteers throughout the state as part of AARP's Day of Service on May 11.
It shows that more than a third of the crosswalks evaluated did not allow enough time for persons of normal physical abilities to cross. For pedestrians with limited physical abilities, signals were too short to allow safe passage at about half of the intersections surveyed.
The report recommends design improvements for intersections and sidewalks, and cites the importance of continued education for drivers and pedestrians alike.
"We're very grateful to our volunteers for conducting the pedestrian safety audits and to our partners in the state for recognizing the seriousness of this issue," said State Director Barbara Kim Stanton. "Organizing community input is the first step in identifying what is needed to improve safety and mobility for people of all ages," she said.
The survey findings are especially sobering for older residents for whom walking is essential to independence and mobility. Hawaii has the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country among individuals age 65 and older.
According to state Departments of Transportation and Health, of the 169 pedestrians who lost their lives on Hawaii's roadways between 1999 and 2004, more than 67% were over the age of 50.
On average, 32 pedestrians of all ages are killed each year on Hawaii's roadways, and another 600 people receive medical treatment for non-fatal injuries.
On Nov. 7 Oahu voters will vote on a charter amendment that would require the city and county to make Honolulu a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly city.
For a copy of the charter amendment, contact Jackie Boland, AARP Hawaii associate state director for community outreach at (808)545-6003.
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