Anyone who spends a lot of time walking around Honolulu knows that you have to watch your step.

Some drivers zoom right through crosswalks.

Or if a large vehicle has stopped for a pedestrian, other drivers pulling up alongside can't see the person in the crosswalk.

But police officers and other public officials at a Senior Safety Summit yesterday said it is up to the person on foot to make sure the drivers notice them.

"Your safety is in your hands," officer Benjamin Lloyd told about 40 people, most of them senior citizens, yesterday at Kuhio Elementary School. "You're not safe unless you make eye contact and make sure the driver knows you are there. Don't assume the cars see you."

To help walkers be more visible, officials are handing out bright yellow kerchiefs that pedestrians can wear or wave at crosswalks. HPD, Department of Transportation and other officials urge people never to cross a street outside of a crosswalk or against a light.

"Crossing in an area that is not a crosswalk, jaywalking, it's not worth it," Lloyd said. "We tell you the same thing you tell your grandchildren. It's not worth it."

Lloyd said pedestrian deaths have held fairly steady in Honolulu over the past few years, at about 23 a year.

Angela Keen, a publicist for the Senior Safety Summits, said the effort aims to hand out 1,000 "Walk Wise" bandannas at meetings for seniors on O'ahu.

Michael Augusta, who lives on Isenberg Street near where the meeting was held, said he has plenty of concerns about pedestrians, but he also complained about bicycles on sidewalks, which he said intimidate elderly people.

"Pedestrians have the right-of-way on the street but they don't have it on sidewalks," Augusta said.

The next Senior Safety Summits are planned for July 12 at Farrington High School and Aug. 2 at Kailua Intermediate School. Both meetings are at 1 p.m.