HONOLULU (KHON2) — Red light runners and speeders beware, the State Department of Transportation is rolling out more cameras and adding to its enforcement program.
The red light safety camera pilot program has been given the green light for expansion according to DOT Director Ed Sniffen.
“At the end of this year, our two year pilot formally ends, and once it ends, it allows us to expand beyond the original 10 locations,” Sniffen explained.
He said they plan to roll out an average of 10 new red light cameras per year. DOT is currently determining the locations, which will be announced in February, based on crashes, and incidents across the state.
According to Sniffen, the program reduced red light running an average 45%, with some locations reduced by up to 70 percent.
That success prompting officials to take the next step.
“We have the authority now to to turn on the speed cams for those red light safety cameras,” Sniffen said. “That’s going to be going on this year as well.”
Residents have mixed feelings about the speed cameras.
“I think that will be pretty good,” Honolulu resident Lattrecia Norman said and added, “But it may or may not really stop people from speeding though.”
“Anytime somebody feels that there is a camera on them. while they’re doing something illegal, it catches their attention,” Waikiki Neighborhood Board Chair Robert Finley said.
“Since driving’s so dangerous, I think anything that provides more ways to monitor driving is goign to cut down on deaths and that’s the ultimate goal,” added resident Alex Reid.
Speed camera enforcement will go live gradually at the existing red light camera locations like the one at South Beretania and Piikoi.
Sniffen said they will begin with a month long warning period before tickets are issued.
HPD will monitor speeding similar to the way drivers are ticketed for running the red.
“We’re going to be working with the police department who will be monitoring or reviewing all the videos of speeding through intersections that the cameras pick up,” Sniffen explained. “The whole intent is for the officers to be able to use that discretion in in managing the tickets.”
He said there are currently two officers and one person at the prosecutors office handling the red light program.
DOT will provide funding for additional positions as necessary to monitor the speeding program.
“As we identify the locations, we’ll be working with our local departments, making sure they’re ready to go, and if so, we’ll start, we’ll start installing them,” he said.
According to Sniffen, the speed cameras will likely go live in late January. The goal of the program is to manage speeds and keep everyone safe.