Ninth Pedestrian Fatality of 2007

On Monday, February 26, 2007, around 7 p.m., 63-year-old Carl "Pinkie" Johansen died at the scene of the crash at 85-175 Farrington Highway in Makaha and became the ninth pedestrian fatality of 2007.

Johansen had just returned from grocery shopping after disembarking from the city bus and was on his way home to Makaha Surfside. Although Carl Johansen was not inside the marked crosswalk as he walked diagonally towards the driveway, one car did stop for him while a blue Honda in the opposite direction struck him high into the air and drove away without stopping.

Makaha residents have complained a long time for a crosswalk light. The location has a marked crosswalk and never was there a regular traffic light at the spot where Carl Johansen died. The Hawaii Department of Transportation had previously installed an experimental light for the pedestrian bus stop crosswalk in front of Makaha Surfside Apartments, but the lights were stolen - twice.

The need for a pedestrian light at the Makaha Surfside bus stop has been clearly demonstrated before this tragic death. The double stealing of the experimental light that was temporarily installed should be reinstalled permanently and made theft proof. The marked crosswalk could be made be extra wide to be a more friendly to aged persons with mobility problems. A very wide pedestrian crosswalk would make this a safer intersection.

Johansen's death is Oahu's 17th traffic fatality and ninth pedestrian death in the county of Honolulu. Hawaii State has the 11th highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country and is number one in pedestrian fatalities of those over 64.

There is a new pedestrian law, which may be the cause of this ominous surge in deaths.

Tom Dinell of Honolulu wrote a letter to the editor of the Honolulu Advertiser on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, where he states; " The Legislature has a responsibility to write laws in a way that everyone - pedestrian, driver,and police officer can understand their intent and will contribute to reducing the shameful toll of pedestrian deaths and injuries we are currently enduring."

According to Hawaii state Department of Transportation web site, where information of the new pedestrian law is found, states in part the following;

The driver of a vehicle shall STOP and yield the right of way, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. The fine for violating this law is $97.

Crossing at Other Than Crosswalks

(1) Pedestrians intending to cross a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(2) Between two adjacent intersections that have traffic-control signals in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except within a marked crosswalk.

(3) No pedestrian shall cross an intersection diagonally unless authorized by traffic-control devices, and shall do so only in accordance with traffic-control devices pertaining to such movements.