Deletes requirement in section 291C-13 that motor vehicle crash result only in damage to vehicle or property. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to delete the requirement in section 291C-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that a person stop and give information and render assistance only if a motor vehicle crash results only in damage to a vehicle or other property. Due to the fact that some drivers or passengers may not report or experience pain at the time of the crash, this restriction has caused problems in charging cases. Deletion of this requirement will provide greater flexibility in charging cases where there is damage to vehicles or property.

SECTION 2. Section 291C-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§291C-13[]] Accidents involving damage to vehicle or property. The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting [only] in damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible, but shall forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 291C-14. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. Any person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements of this section under such circumstances shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than ten days for a first conviction; fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than twenty days, or both, for a second conviction within one year of a first conviction; and fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, for a third conviction within one year of a first conviction."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.