LIHUE � The speed limit along Kuhio Highway in Wailua, a stretch of road known as �blood alley� due to its seemingly high rate of traffic fatalities, will be dropped from 50 mph to 40 mph effective Oct. 12, according to a state Department of Transportation press release yesterday.

�Safety is our top priority,� Jiro Sumada, DOT highways deputy director, said in the release.
Since 2000, there have been 10 fatal crashes on the three-mile stretch of Kuhio Highway roughly from the Kauai Hilton entrance to Wailua Beach, eight of which have involved vehicles crossing the center line of the highway.
�We agree with the Department of Transportation�s findings, and are pleased that improvements will be made to enhance the safety of Kuhio Highway,� said acting Capt. Mark Scribner of the Kauai Police Department�s Patrol Services Bureau.
�Our plan is to support DOT�s efforts by placing speed boards in the area and by monitoring traffic,� Scribner said. �We also need the public�s cooperation and adherence to the speed limit and other traffic safety laws in order to prevent crashes from occurring.�
To help aid with the transition, the DOT will be installing electronic message boards and police will be monitoring the area, the state release said.
�As a follow-up to the public informational meeting held earlier this month, we have completed our traffic analysis of this segment of Kuhio Highway,� Sumada said. �Our traffic engineers presented us with a list of suggestions to improve the safety of this highly traveled corridor.�
In addition to the reduction in speed limit, the DOT is initiating a number of other safety improvements.
Police pull-out areas will be constructed to aid enforcement, and �smart signs� will be installed to give motorists feedback on their speed and also record speed data.
�Our traffic branch is also evaluating other changes that were presented at the public meeting, which include adjusting the hours of contra-flow operations and improving intersections in the area,� Sumada said.
In early September, the DOT and KPD held a meeting at Wilcox Elementary School to discuss the issue. Officials promised then that the speed limit would be dropping but could not be sure by how much until after a traffic study.