LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The speed limit along Kuhio Highway in Wailua, between the Kauai Hilton and Wailua River, will officially be lowered today to 40 mph from 50 mph.

But police will give motorists about a week to adjust and slow down before strict enforcement of the new speed limit takes place, said acting Capt. Mark Scribner of the Kaua'i Police Department Patrol Services Bureau.

The one-week education campaign will likely include warnings rather than tickets, with the following week inaugurating a period of heavier enforcement, he said.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., one of thousands of Kaua'i residents who commute regularly over the section of highway known as "blood alley" because of the deadly and serious accidents that have occurred there over the years, encouraged his fellow drivers to just slow down.

"This is an effort that can save lives. It's worth it to all of us to slow down and take a few more minutes to get where we are going rather than risk more tragedy on this dangerous stretch of highway," he said.

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

To help aid with the speed transition, state Department of Transportation Highways Division crews will be installing electronic message boards, Jiro Sumada, Highways Division deputy director, said in an earlier press release.

Along with reducing the posted speed limit, DOT is moving forward with other safety improvements including building police pull-out areas to aid with additional enforcement efforts; installing "smart signs," which will give motorists real-time feedback of their speed as well as record speed data; and installing additional signs.