Red light cameras to enforce speed limit starting January

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Red light cameras will soon enforce the speed limit. A new bill recently signed into law will cite violators if caught.

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Starting January 2025, drivers should check their speeds around red-light cameras. They will receive a warning if those cameras catch them going over the speed limit. In February, speeding violations will get you a citation in the mail.

The speed cameras will be active in the same locations as the following ten red light cameras:

• Vineyard Boulevard and Palama Street
• Vineyard Boulevard and Liliha Street
• Vineyard Boulevard and Nuuanu Avenu
• Pali Highway and Vineyard Boulevard
• Likelike Highway and School Street
• King Street and Ward Avenue
• Kapiolani Boulevard and Kamakee Street
• Berentania Street and Piikoi Street
• McCully Street and Algaroba Street

According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), the red light cameras can already track speeds, but the lack of legislation prevented the department from issuing citations.

“If I see a police officer, I automatically assume I’m doing something wrong and I start adjusting the way I drive,” said Ed Sniffen, HDOT Director. “The hope is that when we have these enforcement cameras at different areas, it’s like a police officer at that location 24/7.”

First-time violators will be fined $250. A second offense within the same year will cost $300. A third citation will cost $500.

In the past, drivers pushed back against similar efforts like the Van-Cam program which cited drivers going even one mile over the speed limit. To avoid past failures, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) will help determine buffers in different areas.

“They want to make sure that they’re involved in the processes to ensure that those buffers that they use in person, are used with the cameras themselves,” said Sniffen.

A statement from HPD said it, “supports measures that address the enforcement of speeding vehicles.”

The buffer could be between 10 to 12 miles per hour. In areas like school zones, it could be less, per HDOT.

Senator Brandon Elefante who introduced SB 2443 said, “technology has advanced in terms of the collaboration, the cameras and what they’re able to do to be fair and equitable in how they pick up violators.”

In 2023, 60 percent of the 93 traffic fatalities were caused by speeding, according to HDOT. Officials hope the new law will improve driving behavior. The 2.5 million dollar project budgeted for the next two years will go toward adding more speed cameras.

“You cannot put a price on someone’s life, especially when it comes to speeding and the impact that it can have on different communities,” stated Senator Elefante.