STAND. COM. REP. NO.2300

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2487

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2487 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRAFFIC CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the traffic code to promote pedestrian safety by increasing the penalties for violating pedestrian safety laws and by imposing additional requirements on pedestrians crossing roadways.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Department of Transportation and the Honolulu Police Department.

Your Committee finds that the increasing number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Hawaii is a serious concern. This measure clarifies and strengthens the pedestrian laws to alleviate this growing problem.

Your Committee has amended the measure by lessening the penalty amounts and providing for possible imprisonment in the schedule of penalties.

In addition, based on the recommendation of the Honolulu Police Department, your Committee amended this measure to specify that the additional pedestrian responsibilities are not mandatory. Your Committee finds that many of the additional responsibilities include a state of mind and would be difficult to enforce. Since pedestrian safety is largely about education and awareness, your Committee finds that this measure can still have a significant impact on pedestrian safety even if the additional pedestrian responsibilities are not mandatory.

Your Committee also made several technical, nonsubstantive amendments for accuracy and clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2487, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2487, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair