News Release
March 24, 2011
MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE TO THE STREETS FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY
Students Kick off Monthly Sign Waving Event along Dangerous King Street Corridor
Motivated to get involved and make a difference in traffic safety, more than 50 McKinley High School students and teachers waved signs and banners this morning at the corner of South King and Pensacola Streets in front of the school to remind drivers to slow down and watch out for pedestrians. The student-organized activity was patterned after the Farmers Insurance Hawaii Hot Spots program and will become a monthly event for the students.
Farmers Hawaii employees and Honolulu Police Department District 1 Community Policing officers joined the students to alert drivers to slow down and to obey traffic laws in the area. The event was organized by one of the Junior classes at McKinley, and they developed a Facebook page and Public Service Announcement along with flyers to promote the Hot Spots event to fellow students.
"This traffic safety project is spearheaded by a student-driven study on how to reduce traffic congestion," said Ron Okamura, Principal of McKinley High School. He noted that synchronized traffic lights and a GPS system for buses were considered but found to be too expensive. "The students decided to focus on traffic safety because increased traffic safety awareness can lead to fewer accidents, which in turn leads to less traffic congestion."
Wenli Lin, Chief Marketing Officer for Farmers Insurance Hawaii, said "We believe that it's everyone's responsibility to help keep Hawaii's roads safe. That's why we are thrilled that McKinley High School students have taken the initiative to organize their own Hot Spots program." She said, "Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and HPD, together we can make a difference in making our streets safer for our communities."
Farmers Insurance Hot Spots program was started in 2002 to respond to increased accidents and fatalities due to speeding, and over the years has expanded to include pedestrian safety, especially for senior citizens in our community.
Schools or concerned community members interested in holding a Hot Spots event in their neighborhood should contact the Farmers Insurance Hawaii at 808-544-3988.
