Traffic cameras return as legal fight continues
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
The state's traffic cameras were back on the road yesterday, and for the first time in a week the courts didn't pose any new problems for them.
Richard Ambo The Honolulu Advertiser
District Judge Russel Nagata yesterday dismissed nearly every argument ticket holders threw at him in preliminary hearings, forcing most to pay a fine or seek a trial.
A speeding-enforcement van yesterday monitored drivers along the Pali Highway.
The hearings were in marked contrast to those last week, when attorneys successfully had most cases thrown out on loopholes that since have been closed.
Citation holders appearing in Nagata's court yesterday presented a wide variety of excuses and arguments to have tickets dismissed, including that they were trying to avoid an emergency vehicle, hadn't received their citations in a timely manner, weren't driving the car, and were targeted by speed traps designed to catch commuters from wealthy suburbs. One on-duty city worker said he was speeding to get to the site of an overflowing manhole cover.
All to no avail.
However, Nagata continued to dismiss tickets for those doing less than 9 mph over the limit.
Meanwhile, a bill to repeal the traffic enforcement law yesterday cleared another hurdle at the Legislature. The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved the measure, sending it to a vote before the full Senate, where a majority of senators have said they favor halting the program.
A bill to repeal the existing program and replace it also is working its way through the House.