STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1949

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.C.R. No. 28

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 28 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND MODELS FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution, as received by your Committee, was to address traffic congestion issues by urging the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study innovative technologies and models for public transit services. 

However, due to the increasing problem of motorists driving under the influence of an intoxicant (DUII), your Committee instead heard a proposed draft.  As proposed, the purpose of this concurrent resolution is to provide an alternative means for combating DUII by requesting DOT to study the feasibility of requiring vehicle ignition interlock devices for convicted DUII offenders.

DOT, Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawaii, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers testified in support of the proposed draft.

     Hawaii has the second highest percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the nation in 2005.  Sadly, it appears that this statistic is only getting worse despite efforts to curb this type of behavior.  While enforcement of existing laws governing DUII has had an impact on alcohol-related traffic fatalities, more needs to be done to bring about substantial improvements.

     Your Committee finds that ignition interlock devices, which prohibit a vehicle from being started until the driver of the vehicle passes a breathalyzer test that is connected to the ignition of the vehicle, may be one way to stop alcohol-impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel of their vehicle.  Installation of this device on motor vehicles of individuals convicted of DUII would be one step towards stopping the senseless tragedies of alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

     Accordingly, your Committee has adopted the language of the proposed H.D.1.  The title of this concurrent resolution has been changed to read:  "REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF REQUIRING VEHICLE IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES FOR CONVICTED DRUNK DRIVING OFFENDERS."

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 28, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 28, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair