"We need to change driver behavior to provide for safer roads," said Brennon Morioka, state Department of Transportation director, during a news conference yesterday to announce the proposals. "These measures are meant to work in concert with each other. There is no one silver bullet to provide safety on our roads."

The numbers show that the state has a lot of work to do, Morioka said. Hawai'i leads the nation with the highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, is third highest in the nation for motorcycle fatalities and fourth for pedestrian fatalities. Judging by the first five days of the year, 2009 hasn't been any better. There are five fatalities so far: They include a cyclist, and three that occurred separately on New Year's Day.

On the Big Island, traffic deaths have caused concerns, said Dr. Sharon Vitousek, director of the North Hawai'i Outcomes Project, a grassroots organization targeting traffic safety.

"The problem is there are too many people dying each year from traffic crashes," Vitousek said. "Many are preventable. It's a matter of changing behavior and making policy changes."

On average, there are 140 traffic fatalities a year in Hawai'i. The goal is to get the numbers down to 100 and that's still too high, Morioka said.

"We have the ability to change this," said Gov. Linda Lingle. "The need for collaboration has never been greater in our state, not just politicians, but the community, to make life better and safer. As these proposals show you, you don't need a lot of money to make changes. They're just changes in policy."

IDEA DISMISSED IN 2005

So-called "van cams," roving vans equipped with cameras intended to catch drivers running red lights, were approved by the Legislature in 2001 but later repealed in the wake of public outcry. A similar concept that would have given counties the authority to use red-light cameras resurfaced in 2005 and won state House approval, but was killed in the Senate.

Sen. J. Kalani English, D-16th (E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i), said he doesn't advocate red-light cameras, but will give the proposal a chance. The measure would give the counties the revenue from fines collected from drivers caught midway through an intersection when the light is red. Fines would run from $90 to $200.

"The Senate has always said no to the bill," English said. "I put the idea before our (Democratic) caucus and it went from absolute no to hmmm. So we've made a lot of progress."

Morioka said 21 other states have some form of law allowing snapshots of driving scofflaws.

"It's intended to save lives," Morioka said. "These bills are meant to shape some of the decisions that our drivers are making on our roads."

As for the outright ban on cell phones and other devices that could distract new, young drivers, 2001-05 statistics show 7 percent of vehicle crashes involved drivers 15 to 17 years old.

The ban would include cell phones, video games, portable DVD players and text messaging, as well as eating, drinking or grooming while driving. Offenders would have their license suspended for three to six months.

English says the measure would be the first step toward an outright ban for all drivers, the theory being children will follow the law and force their parents to follow suit. At the same time, the Hono- lulu City Council is considering a ban on text messaging while driving for all motorists.

"These are the people (teen- agers) who are supposed to be learning how to drive and don't need any distraction," Morioka said.

HELMETS PART OF PLAN

For moped and motor scooter riders, a helmet would be required under the state's traffic safety package. Motorcyclists are exempt from the measure.

"It's another bill that will be very controversial," Morioka said. "We're targeting mopeds and motorscooters because they're smaller and less powerful in terms of maneuvering than motorcycles and usually less experienced drivers operate them."

Reckless drivers who speed excessively, weave in and out of traffic and drive while drowsy are being targeted with a measure that would fine violators up to $1,000 and could include up to 30 days in prison, depending on the number of offenses.

"Aggressive and reckless driving has been the main components of many of our accidents," Morioka said.

Also under consideration is a measure that would significantly lower the legal limit of alcohol for drivers using a commercial driver's license. Even trace amounts of more than 0.01 percent would be subject to a fine of up to $200 and those found with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 percent would be subject to a $500 fine. The legal limit for all drivers is 0.08 percent blood alcohol.

"The measures are part of a larger plan," Morioka said. "The bills are meant to protect. All of our partners have reviewed all of our bills. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians will benefit from each one of these."