Establishes statutory maximum speed restrictions on various public roadways. Allows statutory maximum speed restrictions to be altered by official speed limit postings.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 291C-101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"PART X. SPEED RESTRICTIONS

§291C-101 Basic rule and maximum limits. (a) No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent and having regard to the actual and potential hazards and conditions then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

(b) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (a) of this section, the limits specified in this section shall be the maximum lawful speeds, and no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of such maximum limits:

(1) Twenty-five miles per hour on city and town streets;

(2) forty-five miles per hour on rural roads;

(3) Fifty-five miles per hour on state highways.

(c) Consistent with [the foregoing] the requirements of section (a), every person shall drive at a safe and appropriate speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic, or by reason of weather or highway conditions."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.