07-02-2009, 07:04 AM
Last year, during a discussion with Department of Transportation engineers about the problem with safety on Highway 130, I was told that the "three E's" were essential -- Engineering, Education, Enforcement.
And, of course, the engineer reckoned his profession had nothing to answer for.
Well, a new study has shown that road conditions represent the highest cost for crashes nationwide, and the state of Hawaii is among the most costly in terms of number of vehicles and number of miles travelled:
http://www.pire.org/documents/PireStudyLowRes.pdf
In today's Honolulu Advertiser print version, State Transportation Department Director Brennon Morioka was in denial, and disputed the report, of course.
Mr. Morioka does identify the Keaau-Pahoa Road as one of "certain roads throughout the state [that] have deadly reputations."
In the Puna Community Development Plan, SAFETY was the absolute top priority for transportation.
How has that community-identified priority been received by the County Planning Department, the County Department of Public Works, the County Mayor, and the County Council?
Likewise, has the DOT identified safety as the highest priority for Highway 130?
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park