Traffic camera citiations soar to 10,000 last month

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

The number of traffic camera citations issued last month jumped to almost 10,000, a 170 percent increase over each of the first two months of the program.

More than 7,000 of the March tickets, however, were sent to drivers doing less than 10 mph over the limit. District Court judges have routinely dismissed all those tickets.

"That's really stupid. It shows a continued arrogance on the part of the state," said defense attorney Michael Kam.

In January and February, the first two months of the controversial program, the number of tickets averaged 3,638. Last month the number increased to 9,837, according to judiciary records. State transportation officials were not available last night to explain the sharp increase.

Although individual judges using discretionary power have dismissed tickets for those driving less than 10 mph over the limit, the state continued to issue them in March starting at 6 mph over the limit. Drivers who receive such citations are forced to make a written statement or appear at a preliminary hearing before their tickets are dismissed.

"There might be some other people who aren't aware of the situation and just go ahead and pay the ticket or have a default judgment issued against them," Kam said.

An analysis of the March records shows the state issued 2,623 tickets for going 6 mph over the limit; 1,967 for 7 mph over the limit; 1,434 for 8 mph over the limit and 1,037 for 9 mph over the limit.

The fastest speeder clocked last month was doing 95 mph in a 55-mph zone. Three other drivers were cited for going 35 mph over the speed limit. In all, nearly 100 tickets were sent to drivers photographed going 20 mph or more over the limit.

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.