Motorists on Paniolo Drive in Waikoloa and on Kaiminani Drive in Kona are being reminded by flashing "smart signs" how fast they are driving and to slow down, according to a Hawai'i County news release.

The smart signs are informational signs that display either the speed of an approaching vehicle or a reminder for the driver to slow down.

In the initial phase, smart signs will be installed by the county's traffic division at about a dozen locations around the island, in response to complaints about excessive speeding in those particular areas. The smart signs are an alternative to speed humps.

"We have already been getting reports of a noticeable decline in speeds since these signs were installed on Paniolo Drive," said Ron Thiel, chief of the county's traffic division.

The signs on Paniolo Drive were installed at the request of the Waikoloa Village Association, which provided partial funding. When motorists turn onto Paniolo Drive from Waikoloa Road, the smart sign displays their speed up to the 25-mph speed limit. If they are traveling faster than 25 mph, the sign will warn them to slow down.

A second sign installed on Paniolo Drive reminds drivers approaching from the opposite direction to slow down for the 25-mph speed zone. A third sign has been installed on Kaiminani Drive below Oneone Street in Kona Palisades for makai-bound traffic.

Data logging has been enabled on the signs, which records time of day and the vehicle's speed.

"Periodic downloading of traffic data—speeds and volumes—will be used to monitor the traffic flow and will be turned over to the police for information," Thiel said.

Some motorists will experience displays flashing slower than their speeds because they are accelerating, Thiel added.