Honolulu, like every other American city, has embraced the automotive cocoon culture. Once we're encased in our cars, we're scarcely aware of the world outside.

It's especially dangerous in a place where year-round balmy weather makes walking both pleasant and practical. While it's easy to forget the pedestrians in the crosswalk, they are there — unprotected from the tons of steel hurtling down the thoroughfare.

They become victims of indifferent driving. This state ranks fourth in the nation for pedestrian fatalities per capita, an abhorrent statistic.

So it's rational that the state has adopted a stricter law for the protection of pedestrians, compelling drivers to stop at crosswalks and yield to anyone on the motorists' half of the roadway.

Recent pedestrian accidents have highlighted the wisdom of the new law. These include the injuries to several pedestrians when a car jumped onto a sidewalk in Waikiki and the incident in 'Ewa Beach in which four were struck by a pickup truck. We can all hope to see fewer of these accidents after the new law takes effect Sept. 1.

Starting on that day, violators will be subject to a fine of $92. That amount is enough to give anyone pause — and to make them pause, as well.