Running red lights is a serious problem here in Hawaii. First, it results in deaths, injuries and other crashes at intersections with signals. The state says that between 2015 and 2020, 1,879 crashes resulted from red-light and other traffic signal violations.
Hawaii is one of 26 states without automated traffic enforcement on their public roads. Federal data suggests, however, that automated traffic enforcement can help reduce costs, lessen the danger to officers, and increase traffic law awareness among drivers.
Following are the locations of Honolulu red-light cameras that are now active and issuing citations.
- Vineyard Boulevard and Pālama Street Live for citations. 602 citations.
- Vineyard Boulevard and Liliha Street Live for citations. 243 citations (north-west approach) 581 citations (south-east approach).
- Vineyard Boulevard and Nu‘uanu Avenue. 131 citations.
- Pali Highway and Vineyard Boulevard7 citations (north-west approach), 70 citations (south-east approach).
- Pali Highway and School Street. 444 citations.
- Likelike Highway and School Street. 0 citations (north-east approach) 4 citations (south-west approach).
- King Street and Ward Avenue. No warnings or citations to date.
- Kapiʻolani Boulevard and Kamakeʻe Street. 85 warnings.
- Beretania Street and Pi‘ikoi Street. 112 warnings (west-bound approach), 220 warnings (north-bound approach).
- McCully Street and Algaroba.
How these came to be.
In 2019 the Hawaii legislature created a two-year pilot to evaluate the enforcement of red-light running.
Last year, The Hawaii DOT and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services selected intersections for placement of the pilot cameras based on crash and traffic information. That was followed by engineering studies.
How Honolulu red-light cameras work.
When a red light is run, images are captured by the red-light system, recorded, and encrypted. The files contain multiple still images, videos, and other data pertaining to the potential red-light violation.
That information is transferred to a processing center for screening to confirm the violation and match data to license plate data. Only those deemed to be potential violations are sent on for additional screening.
The Honolulu Police Department reviews and finalizes a decision to approve or reject the violation. Violations are printed and mailed within 10 days of the violation. The data can subsequently be reviewed by the recipient online. Payment is then also handled online.
How much is the fine?
First-time fines are up to $200. Subsequent violations cost more.
Where does the money collected go?
The state says that “All fines collected under HRS Chapter 291J shall be deposited into the photo red light imaging detector systems program special fund. The fund can only be used for the establishment, implementation, operation, oversight, repair, and maintenance of the red-light safety camera system. The vendor is not paid based on the number of citations given by the system (see HRS 291J-4).”
Wheather cameras are to generate money, it’s only from the reckless drivers that run the red light! Slow down, watch speed limit, try not to block intersections!
IF this saves 1 life, 1 serious injury, Then the cameras are doing the job they’re meant to do!!
How do you explain a loss to someone? Using this logic? to only make money?
Beatofhawaii, I was once a resident of Hawaii. I moved to California in 1996 live there since, in California we had the same system there it didn’t quite work it would be thrown out of court because lack of evidence, than the cost to run these cameras was astonishing costing the state too much moneys, so they discontinue the camera system. So my suggestion is up your red light penalty fines, California is $351 first offense, second offense is $891, the third license suspended of license & $1021 fine