Posted on: Friday, January 28, 2005

EDITORIAL
Red-light scofflaws have to pay the price

Every hour in Honolulu, you can bet that at least a few motorists run red lights. Many of us have either done it ourselves or witnessed it. Chances are red-light runners won't quit unless a police officer or a camera catches them.

Which brings us to traffic cameras, a program Hawai'i rejected in 2002. The Department of Transportation program was operated by a private vendor that profited from each citation; most of those cited were driving less than 10 mph above the posted speed limit. Clearly there's a need for a better arrangement.

Understandably, the program failed because of its misguided implementation and lack of public input, though its goal to improve road safety should not be faulted. A system to nab red-light runners is long overdue, and bills in the state Senate and House that seek to install cameras at busy intersections to catch red-light runners deserve careful review.

That said, any new program to catch red-light runners must not repeat Hawai'i's past mistakes, nor those of the 20 or so states that have similar systems.

Critics of devices to catch red-light runners complain that the system is designed to generate revenue rather than improve public safety. Paying the program vendor a flat fee rather than per each citation would help address that concern and eliminate the incentive to simply spew out as many tickets as possible.

Another sticky question is whether the owner of the vehicle or the person who was driving at the time should be responsible for the fine. Indeed, many of those cited on the Mainland contest their tickets, saying someone else used their car without their knowledge, some even say the car was stolen. These and similar issues of responsibility need to be resolved.

And what should the fine be? In Charles County, Md., for example, the red light traffic camera program has reduced collisions by 40 percent, but it's a costly system because violators are fined only $75. Meanwhile in Roseville, Calif, where the red-light camera just moved out of its warning phase, the fine for each ticket is $341. Now there's an incentive to slow down.

Hawai'i's bill, introduced by Senate Transportation Chairwoman Lorraine Inouye, D-1st, (Hamakua, N. Hilo), would establish a red-light camera enforcement program for a three-year trial period, with only warnings issued during the first year.

A one-year grace period is too lenient. Speeding and red-light running is an important issue that often ends up costing lives. Once we resolve the big questions, it's time to go for broke on this one.