Red light cameras in Oahu, Hawaii will begin flagging speeders starting March 1, expanding their role beyond catching drivers who run red lights.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced that a warning period will begin before citations are issued, giving drivers time to adjust to the new enforcement.
The cameras, installed at 10 intersections since November 2022, have already led to a 69% drop in crashes, and officials hope speed enforcement will yield similar results.
“That was the whole reason why we implemented this program, is to see a reduction in crashes and hopefully we don’t see any citations,” said Shelly Kunishige, HDOT Communications Manager, in a statement. “We know that speeds affect the mortality of crashes and ideally everybody follows the speed limits.”
The cameras use radar to track vehicle speeds, and warning signs are posted at monitored intersections. While the technology has always had speed-tracking capability, it previously only issued red light citations.
Honolulu police have limited personnel managing the system, but Rep. Darius Kila has introduced a bill to fund additional staffing.
“Currently, we have one or two people going over several thousand citations or infractions,” Kila said. “If we can streamline dispositions and even just add ten more bodies, we’d be much more efficient.”
Drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than five miles per hour will receive written warnings until April 29, with official citations beginning April 30. Since 2022, nearly 43,000 red light citations have been issued under the program.
Source: KHON2.com, Hawaii Department of Transportation
