STAND. COM. REP. NO. 115

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 410

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 410 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the penalties for those who violate the pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, Maui Police Department, one member of the City Council of the City and County of Honolulu, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that in 2018, forty-three pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents.  This is a record number of people that were tragically taken away from their families and friends.  Your Committee further finds that increasing penalties can help reduce the amount of pedestrian fatalities by making drivers more aware of the presence of pedestrians on and near the roadways, especially in crosswalks.

 

     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 S.B. No. 410 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair