THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

26

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

requesting the department of transportation to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of establishing a photo red light enforcement pilot project to enhance pedestrian safety.

 

WHEREAS, the State has a responsibility to enact laws and rules to provide for the public safety; and

WHEREAS, traffic offenses in Hawaii occur at an alarmingly high rate, particularly the offense of running red lights; and

WHEREAS, this violation endangers the lives of residents and compounds the already hazardous conditions for both pedestrians and motorists on Hawaii's roads and highways; and

WHEREAS, news items are increasingly common that describe hit-and-run drivers who have run over small children or the elderly, both inside and outside crosswalks, who may not be able to react quickly enough to someone speeding through an intersection after the light has already turned red; and

WHEREAS, the county police departments do not have sufficient personnel to station officers at every intersection with traffic signals; and

WHEREAS, recently, the State implemented a photo speed enforcement project, which used photographic technology to deter and catch speeding motorists. Due to the public furor over the program, the Legislature repealed the entire program during the 2001 Regular Session, before the second component of the system, a photo red light enforcement project, was ever implemented; and

WHEREAS, the photo red light enforcement program, which would use pole-mounted cameras to photograph motorists who run red lights, has proven effective in other jurisdictions to deter red light runners; and

WHEREAS, since the photo red light enforcement project was never implemented in Hawaii, there is no way to accurately study its effect and whether it would be publicly accepted and useful in the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Department of Transportation conduct a study regarding the feasibility of establishing a photo red light enforcement pilot project in counties with a population of 500,000 persons or more, under its administrative powers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation submit its study to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Transportation.

Report Title:

Requests the Department of Transportation to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of establishing a photo red light enforcement pilot project.