Action Alert: Increasing Pedestrian Safety

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 to proven safety solutions and infrastructure. By implementing leading pedestrian intervals, pedestrians are given a 3-7 second head start when crossing the street, which reduces pedestrian fatalities at intersections by 60%. By increasing funding for Safe Routes to School projects, keiki will be able to be active and safe while they walk, roll, or bike to school.

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 1231 HD1 SD1
Position: Strong Support
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Committee: Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary

How to Submit Testimony

1. Log-in /make an account on the Capitol website.
2. Go to the bill page for HB 1231 HD1 SD1 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 Monday, March 31, at 10:00AM (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:

Smarter investments for safer streets/Freedom to Walk 

• 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.

Adopt Low Cost and effective solutions – Lead Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs)

• Improving pedestrian safety doesn’t need to be expensive.
• Leading pedestrian intervals give walkers a 3–7 second head start before vehicles get a green light, improving their visibility and reinforcing their right of way
•  This simple change reduces pedestrian fatalities at intersections by 60%.

Fund Safe Routes to School 

• Safe Routes to School (SRTS) encourages more keiki to walk, bike, and roll to school, leading to increased physical activity, reduced traffic congestion around schools, improved air quality, and a significant decrease in pedestrian injuries among students. This ultimately improves overall health and well-being for children and the community at large. 
• SRTS funds are one of the only line items dedicated to pedestrian safety programs and projects. 
• The SRTS Advisory Committee recommends budgeting $15 million for SRTS projects.