Hawaii Senate Bill SR36

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/10/23

Caption

Encouraging The Department Of Transportation And The Department Of Transportation Services Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Expand The Red-light Safety Program To Windward, Leeward, And Central Oahu.

Impact

The proposed expansion of the Red-Light Safety Program is backed by previous initiatives detailed in Acts 131 and 30, which involved a pilot program targeting automated enforcement methods to see their effectiveness in reducing traffic accidents. Currently, only five intersections in urban Honolulu utilize this automated system, which has issued nearly 1,000 citations since implementation. A broader adoption of this program could similarly help mitigate accidents in other parts of the island, suggesting a potential positive impact on public safety statewide.

Summary

Senate Resolution 36 (SR36) encourages the Department of Transportation and the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu to expand the existing Red-Light Safety Program beyond urban Honolulu to include Windward, Leeward, and Central Oahu. The resolution highlights the serious issue of red-light running, which has led to numerous crashes, injuries, and fatalities at signalized intersections in Hawaii. With 1,879 reported crashes between 2015 and 2020 resulting from red-light violations, this initiative aims to enhance safety across more regions of the state.

Contention

However, there may be concerns regarding the implications of automated enforcement, including discussions on privacy, the fairness of fines, and the potential for generating revenue from traffic violations rather than genuinely improving road safety. The necessity for careful consideration of these social and legal implications is paramount as the resolution moves forward. Additionally, there is a pressing need for public engagement to ensure that citizens are informed and understand the benefits and responsibilities associated with expanded automated traffic enforcement.