MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawai’i Police Department is reminding motorists about the laws related to pedestrians and crosswalks.

Officer Patrick Menino Jr. of the Community Relations Section said police have received calls from the public recently complaining that motorists are failing to stop for pedestrians and that some pedestrians are just walking out into traffic before looking.

According to Section 291C-72 of the Hawai’i Revised Statutes, vehicles must stop for pedestrians on the half of the roadway upon which the vehicles are traveling, and shall not proceed until the pedestrian has passed the vehicle and the driver can safely proceed. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

“We are asking the public’s help in keeping our pedestrians and motorists safe,” Menino said. “This can be done if we are more alert of our surroundings, thereby keeping pedestrians and motorists safe.”