STAND. COM. REP. NO.1138-02
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2002
RE: S.B. No. 1575
S.D. 2
H.D. 2
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2002
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1575, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRAFFIC CODE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of the bill, as received, is to amend the traffic code to increase pedestrian safety.
Specifically, this bill:
(1) Establishes a penalty of not more than $100 for each violation of pedestrian-related laws;
(2) Requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians under prescribed conditions;
(3) Requires the person who is issued a notice of a traffic infraction to provide identification to the officer issuing the notice; and
(4) Requires a pedestrian to extend either arm straight up toward the sky, in addition to other requirements, before crossing a roadway when there is no traffic control signal or the signal is not in operation.
The Department of Transportation testified in support of this measure. The Honolulu Police Department supported the intent of this measure. The Office of the Public Defender provided testimony expressing concerns on the measure.
Your Committee finds that pedestrian fatalities are a serious concern and that part of the problem occurs because motorists fail to stop and yield to pedestrians.
Your Committee has amended this bill by deleting its contents and inserting provisions that address pedestrian safety through the establishment of a pedestrian bill of rights that:
(1) Mandates that drivers yield to pedestrians in intersections and crosswalks;
(2) Prohibits pedestrians from jaywalking when a crosswalk or intersection is located within 200 feet of the pedestrian;
(3) Gives the pedestrian the right-of-way in all controlled intersections or intersections with signals, particularly over vehicles turning into a crosswalk with a green light; and
(4) Establishes regulations pertaining to pedestrians and the crossing of streets.
Other technical, nonsubstantive amendments were made for purposes of clarity, conformity, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1575, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1575, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,
|
____________________________ ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair |
||