LIHUE — The lowered speed limit on Kuhio Highway between Hanamaulu and Wailua, from 50 mph to 40 mph effective yesterday, was not implemented to prevent accidents, a state Department of Transportation spokesperson said.

“As noted at the public hearing, most of the accidents are the result of driver error,” state DOT spokeswoman Tammy Mori said. “The HDOT, by lowering the speed limit, is hoping that when accidents do occur, that they will be less severe.”
Mori was asked why state action took so long on the three-mile stretch known as “Blood Alley” because of all the fatal and injurious accidents that have occurred there.
“The HDOT, based upon input from the Kauai Police Department, the County of Kauai and numerous concerned citizens, determined that a review of the speed limits along the Kuhio Highway was necessary in order to determine if the current 50 mph speed limit should be revised to better accommodate the current conditions of the highway,” Mori said.
“Speed-limit studies of our highways are not unusual and they do take place from time to time as traffic volumes and changes in traffic patterns take place.”