It can't be said enough. Both pedestrians and motorists need to be more aware, and share the road responsibly.

Two more pedestrian traffic deaths last week — so painfully close to the holidays — have again put the need for pedestrian safety in the spotlight. The most recent death involved a 97-year-old man, killed while crossing Kona Street near Ala Moana Center. He was not in a marked crosswalk.

HPD reports that more than half of the pedestrians killed this year were not in marked crosswalks.

That deadly habit has got to change. Pedestrians should be responsible and put their own safety first. That means using marked crosswalks, paying attention to motorists before crossing and wearing clothing that is easily seen, particularly at night.

Motorists, too, should use caution — particularly during the holidays as streets and parking lots become congested with preoccupied holiday shoppers and partygoers who have everything but safety on their minds. Add to that the rush of finishing last-minute shopping or holiday errands, and the potential for more collisions is troubling.

Sadly, the elderly are often most at risk. "It's a grim reminder that our community has far to go to make this a pedestrian-safe community. We are ranked No. 1 as the most dangerous place in America for pedestrians 65 and older — and that is just a terrible, terrible ranking to have," said Barbara Kim Stanton, executive director of AARP Hawai'i.

There are promising improvements under way: $18.5 million in state and federal funds will be used for pedestrian-safety improvements, including crosswalk restriping and timers, brighter LED traffic signals and better signage. Priority must be given to the most dangerous intersections. And the city plans to make safety improvements to two of O'ahu's most dangerous sidewalks.

These are encouraging and much-needed improvements.

But what's needed, too, is a change in the mindset of motorists and pedestrians alike.

Take it slow. Pay attention. Cross in marked crosswalks. The few minutes you may shave off your travel time by cutting corners is simply not worth the risk of taking someone's life — or losing your own.

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