Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2019 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 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department (HPD), State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Hawaii Insurers Council, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Testimony in opposition was received from the Office of the Public Defender and Hawaii Motorcycle Dealers Association. Comments were received from the Judiciary and Hawaii Youth Services Network.

This measure also specifies exceptions to attend school, go to employment, or for emancipation of the minor, and provides for a waiting period before a suspended or revoked license is reinstated.

Your Committee finds that excessive speed is one of the primary causes of major automobile accidents, and speed related accidents are increasing dramatically. Young drivers are particularly prone to poor driving habits, due to their relative immaturity and inexperience behind the wheel. Your Committee further finds that there must be stricter laws to protect the public from inexperienced young drivers, and to protect those drivers from themselves as well. The intent of this measure is to do what is practical to decrease the likelihood of risky driving behavior.

Your Committee is cognizant from the testimony that this measure may be difficult to enforce. However, your Committee believes that the perceived impracticalities, if any, will prove to be specious in actual enforcement on the road. Your Committee further finds that impracticalities should not take a back seat to traffic safety and saving lives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the time period to 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. as more reasonable on recommendation of the HPD.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2019, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2019, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.