GOVERNOR LINGLE CALLS FOR STRICTER PENALTIES FOR CROSSWALK VIOLATIONS TO FURTHER PROTECT PEDESTRIANS
For Immediate Release: December 23, 2005
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today said her Administration will introduce legislation to increase penalties for motorists who violate Hawai`i’s crosswalk law. The Governor’s announcement follows yesterday’s accident involving an 89-year-old Kane`ohe man who was struck and killed while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. This was the 12th fatality this year of a pedestrian who was in a crosswalk, and the 34th pedestrian fatality overall.
“This was a senseless, tragic and avoidable accident,” said Governor Lingle. “Like so many of us, Mr. Kobashigawa thought he was safe using the crosswalk. He did the right thing, but unfortunately, careless disregard of our laws has resulted in the loss of life and pain and sorrow for the family.”
In May of this year, the Lingle-Aiona Administration enacted a law that gives the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street over drivers. Under the new law, drivers must yield when pedestrians are on the same half of the roadway or are approaching and in danger of being hit. The purpose of this bill was to clarify and strengthen the pedestrians’ right of way within a crosswalk.
The Governor feels the law needs to include stronger deterrents, which may include suspension or revocation of a driver’s license and increased fines and penalties.
“As a community, we cannot allow this type of reckless driving to continue,” said Governor Lingle. “We want to send a message to all drivers that if they put pedestrians at risk, or worse, injure or kill someone who is just trying to cross the street, there will be a heavy price to pay.”
The Governor called on drivers to use extra caution this holiday season, especially as more people are out driving and walking to shop, run errands and attend parties.
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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
