According to KHON news, the police have stepped up their efforts to enforce pedestrian safety.  In only 3 months in this new year, there has already been 9 deaths.  KHON did a bit on pedestrian safety around Chinatown and found many pedestrians breaking the law.

During the bit, KHON filmed many pedestrians j-walking to cross a street.  When interviewed after they crossed the street, all the pedestrians admitted to j-walking.  The fact is that they KNOW they are breaking the law, yet they still do it.  So why do they do it?  Here are some of the answers they gave after j-walking:

- too many distractions
- impatient
- “I don’t see any cars”
- “Me I don’t understand, me Chinese, me cannot talk English” (which baffles me because the walking signs are symbols, not word.  And they have crosswalks in China…)
- they just don’t care

KHON also explains that it’s not only the pedestrians, but the drivers who are at fault as well.  Many drivers were caught turning too soon before the pedestrian had enough time to cross the street.  Under state law, drivers must wait until the pedestrian reaches the sidewalk before they can cross.  I’m sure a lot of you don’t wait that long…I admit to driving once the pedestrian has walked across enough to give me the space to pass.

To step up the efforts for pedestrian safety, police have enforced stiffer penalities.  If you are caught j-walking, there will be a fine of $70.  If you are a driver and you do not give the pedestrian the right of way, you will be fined $97.

The penalties are not there to inconvenience us.  They are there to protect us.  Heed the warning and it might not only save you $97, but it might save your life.

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