Leeward O'ahu to get traffic cameras
| • | Traffic camera glitches limit first-day tickets to 158 |
| • | New signs for cul-de-sacs to cost $1 million |
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward Writer
For years Leeward O'ahu residents have tried educational programs, safety campaigns, roadside sign-waving exercises and wrecked car displays to persuade motorists to slow down along Farrington Highway and save lives.
The death toll has continued unabated, but now there's hope that the latest effort to force compliance — photo enforcement vans with lasers and computerized cameras — can succeed where others have failed.
Farrington Highway along the Wai'anae Coast, considered one of the most lethal stretches in the state, has been selected for stationary cameras and mobile speed vans, said Marilyn Kali, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation.
"They are doing the engineering studies for that area right now, and we expect to have the speed vans along Farrington Highway by the end of this month," she said.
Kali said at least one stationary camera should be installed by that time as well.
Traffic accidents on Farrington have killed 75 people between Honokai Hale and Ka'ena Point since 1990, and speeding gets much of the blame. Five deaths were recorded on Farrington in 2001, down from 12 in 2000. The reason for the drop is unclear, but Capt. George Yamamoto, acting commander of the Honolulu Police Department's District 8, said he hopes photo enforcement will add to safety awareness along the highway.
While critics of the cameras are as vocal here as elsewhere on O'ahu, the effect of the deaths on the community may mean a greater appreciation of what the new enforcement effort could accomplish.
"This is the reality: There are so many accidents on this highway," said Amelia Jodar of Nanakuli, who was recently involved in an accident with a motorcycle on Farrington Highway. "So let's give it a try. It could help."
Chuck Laux, an adult corrections officer at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, sat in his pickup at the Wai'anae Mall, read over the new citation regulations and shook his head in disgust.
"This is just a way for them to make more money," said Laux, who lives in Makaha. "They get $27 a ticket plus $5 more for every mile you go over the speed limit. So they're motivated to keep giving tickets. And if you don't pay before your court date, the base fine skyrockets."
HPD Sgt. Mark Kawasaki said the cameras seem to be effective in discouraging speeding . Kawasaki, who has covered the Wai'anae Coast for several years, said that lately he has noticed more motorists traveling at the speed limit. He said just knowing the cameras might be out there seems to be enough persuasion for many.
"It gets the point across," he said.
Reggie Robinson, a security guard who works at the Wa'ianae Public Library, has had a front-row seat to incidents along the highway.
"We need cameras out here," said Robinson, as an HPD squad car shot past the library with lights flashing and siren blaring.
"I sit here and watch traffic go by all day long. Oh, yeah, they're speeding. I've seen kids race by the library going 90 miles an hour. I've seen plenty of accidents out here. I don't blame the police. They have other important things to be doing."
In the past, reckless drivers got away with breaking the law, Robinson said. He predicted that will soon change.
"As soon as parents start getting speeding tickets in the mail, they'll stop giving (their kids) the car," he said.
Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com
