COM 0004.042 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mir o, `~S` William G. Davis Stephen K. Yamashiro Managing Director Mayor - Henry Cho •o~ •N'r~ Deputy Managing Director (i~uunf~r n~ ~tt£u~ii 25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 • `Fe~x~~08)961-6553 KOIVA: 755706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)329-5226 Fax (808) 326-5663 NEWS RELEASE August 25, 1997 Contact Person: Ms. Jackie Murai, Traffic Education Coordinator 934-7455 The County of Hawaii's Department of Public Works, Traffic Division, is promoting pedestrian safety through the distribution of over 2,000 bookcovers to all third graders through the cooperation of the Department of Education and private schools. This campaign coincides with the anticipation of the back-to-school traffic. Students will receive their bookcovers during the first few weeks of the school year. To highlight this campaign, Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro has proclaimed September as "Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month." Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for 15 percent of all highway related deaths annually. Based on 1996 statistics from the State Department of Transportation in the State of Hawaii, more than 20 percent of traffic fatalities involve a pedestrian. Hawaii County cites an eight percent pedestrian fatality rate; those being most vulnerable are children and senior citizens. The County's Department of Public Works urges all citizens to promote and practice safe pedestrian habits throughout the community and reminds drivers to be especially cautious of our keiki during the back-to-school season. The bookcovers include pedestrian signal rules and offer these safety tips: walk defensively by making eye contact with drivers before crossing intersections; use crosswalks and sidewalks when available; stop on the curb before entering the street or roadway, and always walk on the left facing the oncoming traffic. -30-