STAND. COM. REP. NO.  464

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 332

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.B. No. 332 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to control excessive vehicular noises by:

(1)  Providing drivers an option to turn off audible reverse warning systems between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if the vehicle is guided by a person, other than the driver of the vehicle, who is behind the vehicle and has a clear view of both vehicle's rearward path and the vehicle's driver; and

(2)  Requiring that any switch permitting the audible reverse warning system to be manually disengaged shall automatically turn itself off after a fixed period of time and automatically engage the audible reverse warning system.

     An individual testified in support of this bill.  The

Department of Transportation (DOT) supported the intent of this

bill.  The Hawaii Transportation Association (HTA) submitted

comments and concerns on this measure.

Noise pollution has become a big problem in Hawaii, especially in the late evening and early morning hours.  Many of the sources of this noise can be attributed to motor vehicles, in particular warning devices that are used when a vehicle is reversing.  While your Committee recognizes the safety concerns raised by HTA, allowing reverse audible warning devices to be disengaged when someone is guiding the driver when a vehicle is reversing may reduce noise without compromising safety.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 332 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair