A just-released analysis of 54,145 speeding tickets issued this year provides a glimpse at the pervasiveness of excessive speeding, said officials as they prepare to start enforcing a new excessive speeding law following one of the deadliest years on O'ahu roads in decades.

Police statewide pulled over 3,821 drivers from January to Dec. 15 for speeding at 80 mph or more, and caught another 1,662 speeders going more than 30 mph over the posted limit, according to a new analysis released yesterday by the state Judiciary.

The analysis was conducted in advance of the new law, which is set to go into effect on Monday. Figures from previous years were not immediately available.

But the figures show about 10 percent of speeders ticketed on Hawai'i roads this year would be subject to the tougher fines and penalties under the law, which defines excessive speeding as going 30 mph or more over the posted limit or traveling at 80 mph or more, regardless of the limit.

The law carries fines of up to $1,000, and speedy drivers also face license suspensions, drivers' education course, community service and jail time.

"Excessive speeding is a contributor to many of our serious motor vehicle collisions," said Honolulu Police Major Susan Dowsett of the traffic division. "Our goal has been to slow traffic down. The new excessive speeding law ... is severe enough to serve as a deterrent to many excessive speeders."

So far this year, 89 people have died in traffic or pedestrian accidents on O'ahu, compared with 78 in 2005. The spike in deaths spurred Honolulu police to launch a widely-publicized crackdown last month on dangerous driving.

The campaign has so far netted 8,966 speeders, Dowsett said.

Under the law, anyone younger than 21 caught buying, drinking or possessing alcohol could face a 180-day driver's license suspension and community service.

"The reason all these laws are being passed is usually fatal accidents are a combination of speed, alcohol and too many people in a car at night," Ishikawa said. "The speeding law ... is just another law that will help deter tragedies."

Legislators debated for years before passing a law to stiffen fines and penalties for excessive speeders. "It was kind of political," said State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, chairwoman of the Transportation and Government Operations Committee. "There was a whole number of traffic bills that have been discussed for years."

Safety advocates are applauding the tougher law, but say enforcement and education is key.

"I definitely think it's a step in the right direction," said Bruce Bottorff, Hawai'i spokesman for AARP, which has been a strong pedestrian-safety advocate.

He said police also need to concentrate on speeding on urban roadways, just as much as on highways and freeways.

According to the Judiciary analysis, H-2 Freeway drivers were the speediest.

Speeders caught on the H-2 Freeway were traveling at an average of 76 mph, while speeders on the H-1 averaged 75 mph. H-3 speeders averaged 73 mph.

There was no breakdown for highways.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.