Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 830, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require all drivers under the age of eighteen to be accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of twenty-one when driving between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Under this measure, drivers under the age of eighteen may drive at night unaccompanied for school activities and employment purposes, if the driver carries a signed statement of necessity from a parent or employer.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, Police Department of the City and County of Honolulu, MADD-Youth In Action, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Opposing testimony was received from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that drivers under the age of eighteen are novice drivers lacking substantial experience. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that this age group is over represented in traffic collisions. Most of these collisions occur between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Your Committee finds that this measure will promote traffic safety by allowing more experienced drivers to teach young drivers responsible and safe driving techniques.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 830, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.