STAND. COM. REP. NO.  59

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 351

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 351 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public by promoting traffic safety.  Among other things, this bill:

 

(1)  Establishes a photo red light imaging detector system program to improve enforcement of traffic-signal laws;

 

(2)  Allows county implementation of photo red light imaging detector system programs;

 

(3)  Authorizes fines collected under county-administered programs to be deposited into a general fund account; and

 

(4)  Authorizes funds from this general fund account to be expended in the county in which the fine was collected for the establishment, operation, management, and maintenance of a photo red light imaging detector system program.


 

     The Department of Transportation, Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii Insurers Council, MADD-Hawaii, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and the Hawaii Bicycling League testified in support of this bill.  The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu supported the intent of the measure.  The Office of the Public Defender and several concerned individuals opposed the bill.  The Judiciary submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee finds that the prevalence of drivers violating Hawaii's traffic-signal laws, especially on the island of Oahu, has become intolerable.  These violations endanger the lives of motorists and pedestrians and compound the already hazardous conditions on Hawaii's roads and highways.  Many senseless tragedies occur nationwide and on Hawaii's roadways because of drivers running red lights.  This measure will help curb such dangerous activities in Hawaii and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state.

 

     However, your Committee notes that it was informed by the counties that county ordinances may have to be adopted to effectively administer the photo red light imaging detector system program.

 

     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. 351 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair