STAND. COM. REP. NO.108-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2349

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2349 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to increase the effectiveness of authorized emergency vehicles, including vehicles used by police officers while performing a police function, by expanding the privileges accorded to them by including the privilege to driving:

(1) On the shoulder and median of roadways;

(2) In controlled-access roadways, highways, and facilities; and

(3) Without audible and visual signals.

The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) testified in support of the measure.

Your Committee acknowledges that driving without sirens or flashing lights will increase the effectiveness of the police in fighting crime, such as tracking vehicles suspected of violating the law or approaching a location where a crime may be in progress. However, your Committee has reservations concerning the safety of the public when a speeding police vehicle finds it necessary to proceed without sirens or flashing lights.

 

Although your Committee has not amended this bill, it is the hope of this Committee that the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs will further examine the issue of effective crime fighting and the collateral safety of the public, and amend this measure, if necessary.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2349 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair