Pedestrian safety

Key points

1. In Hawaii, 20% of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “In Hawaii 20% of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 95

2. Almost half of pedestrians killed are under 15 or over 65.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Almost half of those fatally injured are under age 15 or over age 65.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 95

3. Slow down and be ready to stop whenever people are walking on or crossing the road, or children are nearby.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Slow down and be prepared to stop whenever you see persons walking on or crossing the roadway and whenever you observe children near the roadway.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 95

4. Stop for all blind persons in the roadway, identified by a white cane or guide dog, whatever the signal says.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Stop for all blind persons in the roadway (identified by a white cane or guide dog) regardless of the traffic signal indication or traffic situation.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 95

5. Never pass a vehicle stopped to let a pedestrian cross; it is prohibited by law.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Never pass a vehicle stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street. (Prohibited by law)”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 95

6. You must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “YOU MUST STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS IN CROSSWALKS.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

7. Pedestrians should walk on the left side of the street, facing oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 96

   “Walk on the left side of the street facing oncoming traffic.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 96

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Hawaii practice test

1. 1. At a marked crosswalk, what right of way does Hawaii give a pedestrian who is crossing?

   1. Priority belongs to the faster traveler
   2. The pedestrian must yield to every vehicle
   3. The vehicle that arrives first has priority
   4. The pedestrian has the right of way
   Show answer

   The pedestrian has the right of way. Hawaii gives the pedestrian priority at a crosswalk. The driver must be prepared to stop and allow the person to cross instead of relying on arrival order or speed. A person on foot does not lose that protection simply because a vehicle reached the area first. The choice saying the pedestrian yields to every vehicle reverses the rule. A useful road cue is to scan the full crossing before moving, including someone who has just stepped into the marked area.

2. 2. What must a driver do when a pedestrian is caught in an intersection as the signal changes?

   1. Stop only if the pedestrian is in a marked lane
   2. Continue because the light changed
   3. Sound the horn and drive around the pedestrian
   4. Yield until the pedestrian has cleared the intersection
   Show answer

   Yield until the pedestrian has cleared the intersection. A changing signal does not erase the pedestrian's need to finish crossing. The driver must yield and wait until the person has cleared the intersection. Proceeding solely because the light changed creates a conflict, and a horn is not a substitute for yielding. The marked lane limitation is also too narrow because the protection concerns a pedestrian already in the intersection. Look beyond the signal head before moving, especially when a crossing began during the prior phase.

3. 3. Before entering a public street from a private driveway, what must the driver do?

   1. Sound the horn, then merge without stopping
   2. Stop and yield to traffic on the public street
   3. Yield only to vehicles approaching from the left
   4. Stop only when a posted sign requires it
   Show answer

   Stop and yield to traffic on the public street. A driveway is not treated like a road with equal priority. The driver must stop before entering the public street and yield to traffic using that street. Signaling does not replace the stop, and the duty is not limited to vehicles from one direction. Waiting for a special driveway sign also misses the rule because the obligation comes from the act of entering the public roadway. Use a simple memory cue: private property gives way to the established flow on the street.

Source: the Hawaii Driver's Manual, Chapter XII: Pedestrian Safety. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.