HB805

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the measures to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents have not been successful. By the end of opening day of the 2007 Hawaii State Legislature, there were already 6 pedestrian deaths.

The legislature finds that we need to effect other safety measures to protect our citizens. One option is to keep pedestrians well informed of the dangers of some of these walkways and intersections, and to install safety devices to reduce the danger of these intersections.

The purpose of this Act is to fund a study to compile a list of the most dangerous crosswalks in the State, and to retrofit the crosswalks with safety lights.

SECTION 2. The department of transportation shall conduct a bi-annual study of the most dangerous crosswalks in the State. In order to determine the most dangerous walkways the Department of Transportation may include:

(1) The amount of accidents between moving vehicles and pedestrians in a given area;

(2) The number of moving violations on a given

stretch of road before and after the crosswalk;

(3) The number of vehicles that move through an

intersection;

(4) The number of fatalities at a given intersection; or

(5) Any reasonable measure of safety the department, in its discretion, deems relevant.

The department may also use similar information compiled by other entities to complete the study. The department of transportation shall submit this report to the legislature no more than 20 days before the start of the legislative session.

SECTION 3. The department of transportation shall install flashing lights on the most dangerous crosswalks as determined by the study commissioned by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $_________, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the funding of the study of dangerous crosswalks and intersections.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $________, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the installation of safety lights at crosswalks and intersections identified as dangerous by the study mandated by this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	805
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII