The Honolulu City Council passed a measure last week that would reduce speed limits on roadways within public parks and schools to a maximum of 20 miles per hour and further limit traffic speed to 15 miles per hour in high-risk areas like Ala Moana Park Drive and Kailua Beach Park.
Bill 44, CD1, passed 7-0, with two members absent, at the most recent meeting of the full council on Nov. 7.
“Bill 44, CD2, is an important first step to implementing increased safety measures to protect our keiki and communities on our roadways near public schools and in city parks by authorizing the director of Transportation Services to lower the maximum speed limit from 25 to 20 miles per hour,” said vice chair Esther Kiaaina, who co-introduced the measure with council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam. “By making this small improvement, we not only help to safeguard our neighborhoods, but we also decrease the chances of pedestrian fatalities by more than 50%.”
Under the bill, the director of transportation services is further authorized to evaluate and authorize the installation of traffic-calming measures like speed humps and raised crosswalks in school zones.
The 20 m.p.h. limit would apply to any roadway bordering any school grounds between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on school days, unless otherwise specified by the department of transportation services. It would also apply to any street or highway within the City and County of Honolulu where a speed limit has not been otherwise established.
Dos Santos Tam said aligning speed limits with road conditions is an important step in making streets safer.
“Bill 44, CD2 is going to help reduce accidents and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, particularly in high-risk areas like public parks and school zones,” he said.
The bill now awaits final approval by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.