Hawai'i's been tagged as the state where elderly pedestrians are most at risk of being killed in traffic. And that's a distinction that the state — and all of us— must work hard to change.

That's an immense challenge that will ultimately require a major culture change that could take years, even decades.

The state has made some strides, with countdown timers, improved visibility of crosswalks and more. But the work that's already begun must accelerate. Hawai'i has all the prerequisites of becoming a walkable environment, with its year-round temperate climate and residents who are at home outdoors.

So why hasn't it happened?

There's a clear disconnect between distracted drivers and pedestrians, who too frequently don't communicate their intentions. And too often that's a deadly circumstance, with the result chronicled in a three-part series by Advertiser writer Rob Perez that concludes today.

The families who have lost loved ones in pedestrian fatalities bemoan the rarity that drivers ever do jail time. Some settle their grievance in civil courts, but others whom Perez interviewed expressed the frustration that society has sent the message that it tolerates negligence.

Prosecution presents its own set of knotty problems, and each case is different. It's often difficult to secure the evidence to press a successful case. City law enforcement and prosecution officials need to examine whether enough emphasis is being placed here to strengthen the deterrence of reckless driving.

But this is a multifaceted problem and there are other partial solutions in which the society at large, not only the lawyers and police force, can participate.

Success will require a blueprint, so it's encouraging that the state Department of Transportation has begun drafting its first statewide master plan for pedestrian safety.

This plan will lay out engineering improvements that safeguard pedestrians. Beyond upgrades in lighting and signals, experts have proposed that "improvements" must include designs that slow traffic, and they're right.

But the challenges go far beyond that. Pedestrians and drivers need to make sure they make a connection. Drivers must set aside their cell phone or other diversions and keep their attention on the road. Pedestrians need to make that eye contact, entering the road more defensively. Enhanced enforcement of laws against jaywalking and inattentive driving also is critical.

Enhancing pedestrian safety is a mandate that requires a good degree of personal responsibility, with government ensuring that those who enter our roads are held to the rules. Pedestrian safety must be a priority. Far too many lives have already been lost.