BILL ON PHOTO RED LIGHT IMAGING PROJECT ADVANCES

Drivers running red lights endanger lives, face fines

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Judiciary Committee yesterday voted to approve HB1676 HD1 that would establish a photo red light imaging pilot program. The bill now goes to the House Finance Committee for further consideration.

HB1676 HD1 establishes a three-year photo red light imaging detector system pilot program. The bill authorizes any impacted county to administer the photo red light imaging detector system pilot program. It also establishes a pilot program account as a special account within the general fund. The bill requires proceeds of fines to be expended in the county from which they were collected for operation of the photo red light imaging system program. The pilot program would sunset on June 30, 2023.

The committee found that the prevalence of motorists who violate Hawaiʻi's traffic laws, particularly

those who fail to stop at red lights, has greatly increased. These violations endanger the lives of motorists, pedestrians, and other highway users and compound the already hazardous conditions on Hawaiʻi's roads and highways.