Action Alert: Freedom to Walk

RATIONALE:

Increasing pedestrian safety is extremely important due to the rising traffic fatalities in Hawai‘i and these fatalities highlight an urgent need to improve pedestrian facilities to promote safety and accessibility for all. By investing in safer streets, resources can be shifted from punitive laws that blame pedestrians for poor road design. Freedom to Walk aims to eliminate legal penalties for pedestrians crossing streets outside of designated crosswalks or against traffic signals. This initiative seeks to reduce traffic violence and over-policing and enhances public health by fostering safer, more accessible walking environments that encourage active transportation and improve community well-being.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Public hearings are an opportunity for the public to weigh in on bills being considered by lawmakers. Submitting testimony for these hearings is an important way to let lawmakers know your position on these important issues. All you need to do is share why you are in strong support (we have some talking points below to get you started!). Each hearing may have different lawmakers, so you must submit testimony each time there is a new hearing.

Hearing Information

Bill: HB 941
Position: Strong Support
Date/Time: Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Committee: House Committee on Transportation

How to Submit Testimony

1. Log-in /make an account on the Capitol website.
2. Go to the bill page for HB 941 and click on the “Submit Testimony” button.
3. Upload or write your testimony in SUPPORT of the bill (It doesn’t need to be long!).
4. Please submit testimony by Wednesday, February 12, at 10:00 AM (at least 24 hours in before the hearing) to ensure your testimony is received on-time and reviewed by the committee members! Late testimony will be accepted until the time of the hearing. 

SAMPLE TESTIMONY:

I strongly support this measure to improve pedestrian safety in our communities. In 2024, pedestrian fatalities rose by 61% compared to the previous year. Alarmingly, just 2% of Honolulu’s streets account for 60% of pedestrian fatalities and 42% of injuries. Instead of penalizing people for walking on unsafe streets—with jaywalking fines ranging from $100 to $150, often exceeding penalties for speeding—we must prioritize targeted infrastructure improvements that save lives.

I urge you to consider proven solutions to make our streets safer for everyone, such as investing in Safe Routes to School, leading pedestrian intervals, and other low-cost, effective solutions. Mahalo for your time and consideration.

TALKING POINTS:

• Pedestrian fatalities have increased by 61% in 2024 compared to 2023.
• In Honolulu, high-risk pedestrian areas make up just 2% of streets but account for 60% of fatalities and 42% of injuries, underscoring the need for targeted infrastructure improvements—not policing victims of unsafe streets.
• Fines for jaywalking are $100 to $150, often exceeding those for driving offenses like speeding that cause far more traffic injuries and fatalities.
• Jaywalking laws have proven ineffective in enhancing safety and instead contribute to environments that are unwelcoming to pedestrians. In 2022, pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. exceeded 7,500, highlighting the urgent need for more effective safety measures.
• Studies show that people who walk or bicycle to work experience a variety of physical and mental health benefits. By making smarter investments for safer streets, we can create a built environment that is accessible for all active transportation users.