Report Title:

Transportation; Highway Safety

 

Description:

Requires the State, counties, and contractors performing work on a public highway to post signs warning motorists of steel plates placed in the roadway.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

144

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RElating to highway safety.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that steel plates placed in the roadway during construction or repairs can pose a threat to motorists and their vehicles.  Steel plates can be hazardous because of the raised edge presented to oncoming traffic.  They can be dangerous for motorcyclists even in the best weather and are especially hazardous for motorcyclists in wet conditions.

     The legislature also finds that the State lacks a uniform policy to warn motorists of the presence of steel plates in the roadway during construction or repairs.  While the state department of transportation adheres to the standards of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices, these standards do not address the use of steel plates.  Instead, the department avoids using steel plates on roadways where the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or more because of the difficulty of braking on the steel surface.

     The legislature further finds that the county of Maui has recently adopted a policy requiring the use of signs to warn motorists whenever steel plates are used.  However, the county of Hawaii has no policy requiring placement of warning signage, the county of Kauai believes that existing road construction signage is sufficient, and the city and county of Honolulu allows contractors to determine what signage is necessary.

     The purpose of this Act is to enhance traffic safety statewide by requiring that, whenever construction or repair work is performed on a public highway by the State, a political subdivision, or a private contractor, motorists be warned with appropriate signage of the presence of steel plates in the roadway.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§264-    Use of steel plates during public highway construction or repair.  (a)  Whenever the State, a political subdivision thereof, or a private contractor performing construction work or repairs on a public highway places steel plates in the roadway to conceal holes or otherwise make the roadway passable to vehicular traffic, signs or other appropriate devices specifically warning of the presence of steel plates shall be posted in a manner so as to warn oncoming vehicles.

     (b)  The director of transportation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 establishing standards for the type and placement of devices required by subsection (a).

     (c)  Noncompliance with this section or with rules adopted hereunder shall be considered a violation and subject to the penalties imposed in section 706-640."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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