HONOLULU — As thousands of students, families and school employees prepare to return to classrooms across Oʻahu in the coming weeks, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) is continuing heightened traffic safety education and enforcement through its Safer Roads, Together initiative.
“As our students head back to school, we want every child and family to begin the year safely,” said Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar. “Our officers will be visible in school zones and other high-risk areas, but keeping our roads safe also depends on each of us. Please slow down, put the phone away and give yourself extra time so our keiki can get to school and home safely.”
HPD will focus its enforcement on dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to serious crashes while continuing community outreach and public education. Areas of emphasis include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield to pedestrians
- Jaywalking
- School zone violations
- Seat belt and child safety seat violations
- Impaired driving
- Operating a moped without a helmet
As of July 22, Oʻahu had recorded 25 traffic fatalities in 2026, compared with 46 during the same period in 2025. Although fatalities remain below last year’s pace, many serious crashes continue to involve preventable behaviors, including speeding, distraction and failure to yield. HPD cautions that the decline is not a reason for complacency.
During the back-to-school period and throughout the school year, HPD officers will conduct:
- High-visibility enforcement
- Directed traffic enforcement in areas with recurring crash concerns
- Community outreach events promoting roadway safety
- Educational outreach through schools, neighborhood organizations and social media
Parents and guardians are encouraged to remind their keiki to use marked crossings, look in all directions before entering the roadway and avoid distractions while walking or bicycling.
Drivers are also reminded to:
- Slow down and obey posted speed limits in school zones and residential neighborhoods.
- Stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks.
- Put phones away and eliminate other distractions.
- Allow additional travel time during the first weeks of school.
- Watch carefully for children near roadways, driveways and parked vehicles.
Safer Roads, Together is a partnership among HPD, the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Together, the agencies remain committed to reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries through education, engineering, community engagement and strategic enforcement.
For more information about the Safer Roads, Together initiative, visit www.honolulupd.org/safer-roads-together.