The first red light traffic cameras in Honolulu are now issuing citations, according to a notification we received from the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Hawaii has been far behind most of the country in automatic traffic tickets, but it appears that will not be the case much longer. See the maps below of those locations Hawaii visitors are most likely to encounter.
The first Honolulu red light camera started citation-issuing on November 20, and the second one will begin ticketing starting Monday. Those two are at Vineyard and Liliha and Vineyard and Palama. Both are generally out of the way for many visitors.
The first location has resulted in only 39 red light citations. This averages two violations per day, which is one-fifth as many as the pre-ticketing study indicated would be the case. We aren’t sure why that is. The next sites include Vineyard Boulevard and Nuuanu Avenue, which will soon be ticketing.
1,879 crashes due to red-light and other traffic light violations.
The DOT said that “red-light running is a significant cause of crashes, deaths, and injuries at signalized intersections. Statewide, between 2015 and 2020, there have been 1,879 crashes as a result of red-light and other traffic signal violations.” We know this to be the case, and it is very concerning.
Hawaii is catching up in automated traffic enforcement.
Hawaii is just 1 of 26 states which don’t currently use automated traffic enforcement on roads. The DOT said that “Federal data suggests that automated traffic enforcement can reduce costs of enforcement, lessen the danger of enforcement for officers, and increase the perception of drivers that there are consequences to violating traffic laws.”
Up to $200 for first-time red-light running violation following a 3-year plan.
In 2019 a bill was introduced in the state legislature. Then in 2020, a 2-year pilot was authorized. Earlier this year, Honolulu began selecting intersections for the implementation. Then starting in September, the final intersections were selected.
The next locations for the red light cameras will be Vineyard Boulevard and Nuuanu Avenue, Pali Highway and Vineyard Boulevard, and Pali Highway and School Street.
These locations will include the ones frequented most by visitors.
Those coming up include the following:
Well its time to avoid oahu, the land of red light cameras everywhere
At one time I understood they were supposed to take pictures of the license-not the face. It was some kind privacy issue or something like that. I saw them take pictures of vehicles on Forensic Files. In one you could see one person driving and no one in the passenger seat no one in the back. You could see it was a person-just not who it was.
So in total for 5 years 1.02 a day. Whoa talk about major instances
“Federal data suggests that automated traffic enforcement can reduce costs of enforcement”. Don’t believe that “suggestion” for even a moment. If you want to reduce accidents & deaths you do so via Directed Patrol & targeted enforcement along with Public Service announcements thru varied media outlets.
You do not put red light cameras into place; just another money grab by lazy, corrupt politicians & bureaucrats that ultimately leaves no recourse for those caught in the net. Truly a step in the wrong direction.
“Directed Patrol & targeted enforcement” is exactly what the cameras are supposed to replace. You’re more than welcome to take steps backwards in your life, but don’t expect everyone else to join you.
“Public Service announcements thru varied media outlets” is also taking steps backwards. Having a drivers license means the owner should be fully aware of the infractions they commit. If not, they shouldn’t have the license. So what’s the point of doing PSA’s to people that should already know. If they want to guess through the permit test, guess through the driving test, renew your license regularly as new laws are passed, and drive into a tree, go for it. Freedom.
“just another money grab by lazy, corrupt politicians & bureaucrats that ultimately leaves no recourse for those caught in the net. Truly a step in the wrong direction.” Sounds like someone doesn’t want to get caught by red light cameras. “Caught in the net” had me rolling. Net of what? A bad decision? “I committed a violation and now they have proof! Having proof is so corrupt! So corrupt that they have evidence of my violation!”
Just another way to nickle and dime citizens and tourists proverbialy to death!
I don’t understand how it’s legally enforceable. If someone borrows my car and commits a crime in it, it is that person’s fault and not mine. The problem with automated tickets is that you have to positively ID the suspect of that infraction. The State is obligated to prove which individual is responsible for the infraction. How is this possible unless a person is pulled over and properly identified?
High resolution cameras with facial recognition software. You’d be surprised at how good they are.
Actually Florida is getting rid of their cameras….
After studies were done, it was found they offered little safety benefit.
Look up ” red light cameras manatee county”…
Hawaii, late to the show and using wrong science once again.
With all due respect, Florida doesn’t have a very good track record of using science to resolve social or safety issues. The benefits of red light cameras have been proven worldwide. Go down to Australia and you’ll see why.
Evidently any benefits of red light cameras wasn’t enough to stop them from being deactivated in Texas. All they did for me was make me nervous. You can’t anticipate some driving situations where you may need to put on your brakes quickly or the light changes suddenly when you’re going through the intersection. They took a picture of the license so if someone else was driving your car that could be an issue. They gave out enough tickets in Texas that they finally paid for the cameras but I don’t know if they made a profit. I wish Hawaii all the best-cameras or no cameras.
Haha.. “stay home save lives. I wear because I care”
I remember back when they had the white vans parked on the side of the road issuing automated speeding tickets. We ran those politicians out on a rail back then and the automated speeding tickets stopped. We’ll see how it goes with this new iteration. I’m not as opposed to that.
I don’t have to worry about red light cameras when I visit Honolulu. If it’s too far to walk I ride the Bus. We had red light cameras in Texas but they have not been enforced for quite awhile.
Good on ya’ Honolulu for implementing the traffic cameras; it’s about time. Can’t wait for the onslaught of comments about how cameras aren’t fair and just represent a “cash grab.” Hogwash. People die every week from red light runners on Honolulu streets (how do I know? I used to work in the Queen’s ER, that’s how I know). Want to avoid a ticket? It’s easy: Slow down, be patient and pay attention. In other words, obey the basic traffic laws. Is that too much to ask?
PS: a yellow light means “prepare to stop,” not “accelerate.”
Red Light Cameras are only to collect more revenue.
Studies show the cameras cause more accidents when drivers slam on their brakes and are rear-ended. Drivers can use the Waze App to be alerted to upcoming cameras and avoid fines.
I humbly and respectfully suggest that you do a more thorough review of the available literature. You will find that a few studies, mainly the one out of Florida, did show that rear end collision rates increased at new red light camera intersections. However, side collisions “T-none crashes), which are the ones that produce the serious injuries, drastically decreased. So trading a fender bender for a potentially lethal crash is an any sane person‘s mind a good trade-off. Thank you for reading.
Hehe soooo.. they don’t do anything to prevent accidents.. got it.