HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

240

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND A PROCESS TO CREATE A CITIZEN ROAD WATCH PROGRAM.

 

 


     WHEREAS, in 2005, speeding-related fatalities accounted for nearly half of all the traffic fatalities in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, in November, 2006, Honolulu police initiated a sweeping crackdown on dangerous drivers in a campaign to reduce the number of speeding-related accidents and fatalities; and

 

     WHEREAS, during the first three weeks of the crackdown, Honolulu police issued 2,696 speeding citations and 463 warnings to motorists; and

 

     WHEREAS, typically, the Honolulu police issue an average of 3,000 speeding citations each month; and

 

     WHEREAS, in an effort to reduce speeding in residential areas, a number of communities in other states have established programs to engage local residents in changing driver behavior on their neighborhood streets; and

 

     WHEREAS, for instance, Neighborhood Speed Watch programs in communities in California, North Carolina, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington train residents how to use radar equipment and collect speed data in their neighborhoods; and

 

     WHEREAS, participating residents record the speed and license plate information of speeding motor vehicles that is then sent to the owner of the vehicle informing the owner of the violation and encouraging the owner or driver of the vehicle to drive at or below the posted speed limit; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Road Watch program in Richmond Hill, California, gives residents an opportunity to report aggressive and unsafe driving in their neighborhoods to the police through the use of Citizen Report forms; and

 

     WHEREAS, this information assists the police in identifying unsafe driving acts or "hot spots" that are traffic problem areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, a similar initiative in Hawaii could help deter speeding in local neighborhoods by raising public awareness of the issue and educating drivers about the negative consequences of speeding; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives are requested to convene a task force to recommend a process to create a Citizen Road Watch program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of:

 

     (1)  One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

     (2)  One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

 

     (3)  One representative of the Department of Transportation;

 

     (4)  The City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney or the Prosecuting Attorney's designee;

 

     (5)  The Public Defender or the Public Defender's designee;

 

     (6)  One representative of the City and County of Honolulu Police Department;

 

     (7)  One representative of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization;

 

     (8)  One representative of the Oahu Neighborhood Boards appointed by the President of the Senate; and

 

     (9)  One representative of the Oahu Neighborhood Boards appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, the Prosecuting Attorney, the Public Defender, the Police Chief, and the Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Report Title: 

Public Safety; Citizen Road Watch Program Task Force