LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The speed limit along Kuhio Highway in Wailua, a stretch of road known as "blood alley" due to its seemingly high rate of traffic fatalities, will be dropped from 50 mph to 40 mph effective Oct. 12, according to a state Department of Transportation press release yesterday.

"Safety is our top priority," Jiro Sumada, DOT highways deputy director, said in the release.

Since 2000, there have been 10 fatal crashes on the three-mile stretch of Kuhio Highway roughly from the Hilton Kauai entrance to Wailua Beach, eight of which have involved vehicles crossing the center line of the highway.

"We agree with the Department of Transportation's findings, and are pleased that improvements will be made to enhance the safety of Kuhio Highway," said acting Capt. Mark Scribner of the Kaua'i Police Department's Patrol Services Bureau.

"Our plan is to support DOT's efforts by placing speed boards in the area and by monitoring traffic," Scribner said. "We also need the public's cooperation and adherence to the speed limit and other traffic safety laws in order to prevent crashes from occurring."

To help aid with the transition, the DOT will install electronic message boards and police will monitor the area, the state release said.

"As a follow-up to the public informational meeting held earlier this month, we have completed our traffic analysis of this segment of Kuhio Highway," Sumada said. "Our traffic engineers presented us with a list of suggestions to improve the safety of this highly traveled corridor."

In addition to the reduction in speed limit, the DOT is initiating a number of other safety improvements.

Police pull-out areas will be constructed to aid enforcement, and "smart signs" will be installed to give motorists feedback on their speed and also record speed data.

"Our traffic branch is also evaluating other changes that were presented at the public meeting, which include adjusting the hours of contra-flow operations and improving intersections in the area," Sumada said.

In early September, the DOT and Kaua'i police held a meeting at Wilcox Elementary School to discuss the issue. Officials promised then that the speed limit would be dropping but could not be sure by how much until after a traffic study.