HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1493

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 1

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.  Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291-    Towing safety apparatus.  (a)  No operator of a motor vehicle shall tow on any highway any trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any combination thereof, unless the trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any combination thereof, is secured by a towing safety apparatus to the motor vehicle that is towing the trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any combination thereof.

     (b)  This section shall be enforceable by police officers who may issue a summons or citation to the operator for the violation.  An operator who violates this section shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $500 for each separate violation.

     (c)  Evidence that a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any combination thereof, breaks away from a motor vehicle that is towing the trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any combination thereof, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

     (d)  For purposes of this section, "towing safety apparatus" means a trailer receiver hitch connected to a ball mount or draw bar which is secured with a locking pin and chains or cables to keep the trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or any combination thereof, safely connected to the motor vehicle if the trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or any combination thereof becomes unhitched from the ball mount or draw bar while being towed.

     (e)  This section shall not apply to towing companies or motor carriers as defined under section 286-201."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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


 


 

Report Title:

Motor Vehicles; Towing Safety Apparatus

 

Description:

Requires motor vehicles towing a trailer to be equipped with towing safety apparatus.  Exempts tow companies and motor carriers.  (HB1493 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.