Editorial: Crack down on traffic scofflaws

With traffic deaths on the rise statewide, Gov. Josh Green has issued an executive order calling for improvements in Hawaii’s traffic safety efforts and more protection for “vulnerable” road users including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. It’s needed intervention that should accelerate action, and funding, on key fronts.

This is indeed “a matter of urgent public concern,” as Green proclaimed, “with a disproportionate amount of the dead being pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or moped riders.” At least 93 people — our neighbors and family members, old and young, 60 of them on Oahu — have died in Hawaii roadway incidents this year, with 71% of these deaths among those not protected by a vehicle’s steel cage. Hawaii is on track to see that number surpass 150 if the carnage c