STAND. COM. REP. NO. 344

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 551

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Transportation and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 551 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HELMETS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require all minors under the age of eighteen years to wear a safety helmet while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, and any other off-road vehicle.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Honolulu Police Department; The Queen's Health Systems; State Highway Safety Council; Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii; and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that if higher rates of individuals wore helmets, there would be very positive safety outcomes.  According to testimony, a number of rigorous studies have shown that states with high rates of helmet use have lower rates of head injury than states with low helmet use.  In addition, studies have shown that when states repeal helmet laws a dramatic rise in loss of life from head injuries among motorcyclists ensues.  The requirement of helmets by minors is particularly important where minors are operators or passengers on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and other off-road vehicles.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 551 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair