LIHU‘E — Michael Miller of Kapa‘a received a speeding ticket for exceeding the posted 40 mph speed limit along Kuhio Highway near Wailua Golf Course. Although he paid the ticket (around $100 for doing 56 mph in a 40 mph
LIHU‘E — Michael Miller of Kapa‘a received a speeding ticket for exceeding the posted 40 mph speed limit along Kuhio Highway near Wailua Golf Course.
Although he paid the ticket (around $100 for doing 56 mph in a 40 mph zone), he continues to argue that Kaua‘i Police Department officers are conducting an “illegal speed trap” over the highway’s three-mile stretch where the speed limit was lowered from 50 mph to 40 mph last year.
Miller claims that a traffic survey is required by federal guidelines after a speed limit is changed.
State Department of Transportation officials said no such survey is required before or after changing a speed limit.
“There is no statutory requirement for a traffic survey to legally establish a speed limit,” said Tammy Mori, state DOT spokesperson. “National traffic engineering guidelines recommend a traffic study to establish or change speed limits, which we have done.”
The only legal requirement to establish or change speed limits is the presence of official traffic-control devices, including speed limit signs, she said.
“In the case of Kuhio Highway, we have gone over and beyond all requirements and made it top priority to give plenty of notice to motorists of the speed-limit reduction,” Mori said. “We reached out to the community through press releases, the media, public meetings, additional road signage and other traffic-control devices.”
The accident data has shown that the speed-limit reduction has been effective, she added.
“Since the speed limit has been reduced, KPD has reported that there have not been any major accidents or fatalities,” Mori said.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
