HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – There are more traffic control measures than ever on Oahu: speed humps, red light cameras and now speed cameras. But traffic fatalities are still going up.
There have been 39 people killed on Oahu roadways through June. Halfway through 2024 that number was 15.
A map of all the fatal crashes so far this year shows, they are not concentrated to one area. They are scattered around the island.
Police reports show the key factors are speeding, distracted driving or drunk driving.
Speed humps, which are longer and have a more gradual incline have been installed in neighborhoods and near schools. Ed Sniffen, the director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation said none of the 2025 fatal crashes occurred on near the measures his office deployed.
“It’s not where we have speed humps, it’s not where we have red light cameras. It’s not where we have speed cameras.”
Sniffen said he would add more of these if he could.
But attorney Patrick McPherson who specializes in traffic cases said the measures only work for a small section of roadway.
“Only effective for 50 yards in front of it and 50 yards behind it. So if you go more than 50 yards past the speed bump, people are still speeding,” McPherson said.
Red light cameras have been in place since 2022. There are currently 10 on Oahu streets and highways in concentrated parts of town.
Speed enforcement cameras have issued warnings to thousands of drivers since March and citations will begin in October.
Sniffen said the cameras prove, people are not paying attention.
“There is no excuse to get a red light running or a speeding ticket through an intersection, because I show you exactly where that camera is. I tell everybody up front, the camera’s not going to move.”
Sniffen said, “All we’re trying to do is make sure people follow the law.”
McPherson said putting more money for overtime programs for Honolulu police officers and Department of Law Enforcement deputies would be more cost effective.
“Every person, the first thing they do when they see a police officer on the road is they look at their speedometer,” McPherson said an officer is mobile.
“You don’t know where they are. That means you have to be aware that they could be around the corner.”
McPherson also suggested using dummy cars which are disabled patrol cars and park those on medians to slow people down.
Ultimately, both McPherson and Sniffen agree that all of the options wouldn’t be necessary if drivers were more responsible behind the wheel.
“I need the public support in doing this, I need everybody to just be connected and be aware again,” Sniffen said.
“We still live in the communities we all know and love, and we still gotta take care of all the people that are around there.”
