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 S.B. No. 211, 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.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaii State Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, Department of Customer Services for the City and County of Honolulu, State Farm Automobile Insurance Company, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that a young drivers' enthusiasm for the freedoms associated with driving does not necessarily translate into responsible driving practices. All young drivers start out with very little knowledge or understanding of the complexities of driving a motor vehicle.

Technical ability, good judgment, and experience are all needed to properly and safely drive a motor vehicle and are especially tested when driving at night and during early morning hours. Driving during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. are particularly challenging to young drivers. By requiring them to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or older driver, their safety and the safety of all those on the roads and highways are increased.

This measure allows young drivers to drive alone during these hours under certain circumstances if the driver has in possession a verifying letter from the parent or legal guardian. Your Committee has amended this measure by requiring that the letter contain the current names and phone numbers of the driver's parents or work supervisors and that the driver produce this letter upon demand by a police officer for verification.

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 S.B. No. 211, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 211, S.D. 2.