04-23-2013, 11:57 PM
State Senator Russell Ruderman has recommended that the speed limit on Hwy 130 at HPP be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph. He stated this is being done because of the accident rate and local requests. It appears that this change is being done for arbitrary reasons in that any speed limit change must fallow Federal guidelines. These guidelines include much more that accident rates. One of the primary criteria is that the speed limit should be set at a speed that is traveled by 85% of the cars (ie 85 percentile). It does not appear that this was considered.
Drivers will travel at a speed that they feel is reasonable and safe, reqardless of the limit set. Accident rates are not related to the speed "limit", but are related to the speed itself. A lower limit will not cause slower speeds for many and during light traffic times. In fact during light trafic you will be seeing traffic traveling at a reasonable speed of 55+ mph. Think of the speed trap potential and the increased revenues for the court system. Not to mention the thousands of dollars leaving the hands of the lower Puna residents
I have requested a copy of the engeneering evaluation they claim was made. If the study proves that 45 mph is justified , then so be it. But in the meantime I have to question the ligality of the speed limit change.
Comments appreciated and your personal feelings about the safe driving speed through HPP.
Drivers will travel at a speed that they feel is reasonable and safe, reqardless of the limit set. Accident rates are not related to the speed "limit", but are related to the speed itself. A lower limit will not cause slower speeds for many and during light traffic times. In fact during light trafic you will be seeing traffic traveling at a reasonable speed of 55+ mph. Think of the speed trap potential and the increased revenues for the court system. Not to mention the thousands of dollars leaving the hands of the lower Puna residents
I have requested a copy of the engeneering evaluation they claim was made. If the study proves that 45 mph is justified , then so be it. But in the meantime I have to question the ligality of the speed limit change.
Comments appreciated and your personal feelings about the safe driving speed through HPP.