Honolulu drivers receive warning letters for speeding violations

Drivers in Honolulu, Hawaii, are receiving warning letters as part of a new photo speed enforcement program. The program uses 15 cameras around the city to collect data on vehicle speeds. This data will help identify areas that may need stricter enforcement. One hotspot identified is the intersection of School Street and Likelike Highway. There are four cameras at this intersection, which has speed limits as low as 25 and 30 mph. Traffic officials noted that the law only allows speed cameras to be placed where red light cameras exist. According to state officials, around 13,000 warning letters could be generated weekly from this location alone. Other areas, like Pali Highway and School Street, may generate up to 16,000 warnings each week. The program is aiming to reduce overall speeding, especially closer to freeways where speeding is more common. State Senator Chris Lee, who helped initiate the program, stated that keeping the roads safe is the priority. The initial warning threshold is set at drivers going 11 mph over the limit, which might be adjusted in the future to lower the number of warnings issued. Some drivers are skeptical about the program, suggesting it might be more focused on generating revenue rather than improving safety. For example, one driver expressed concern about the financial impact the fines could have on residents. The warning letters are part of an automatic system, but actual citations will require a review by law enforcement officers. This comes after a previous speed enforcement system, known as "Van Cam," faced backlash for issuing numerous tickets for minor infractions.