STAND. COM. REP. NO.  86

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 352

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. 352 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public by promoting traffic safety.  Among other things, this bill:

(1)  Establishes a photo speed imaging detector system program to improve enforcement of speed limits;

(2)  Allows county implementation of a photo speed imaging detector system program in areas where excessive speeding has been found to be a problem;

(3)  Authorizes fines collected under county-administered programs to be deposited into a general fund account; and

(4)  Authorizes funds from this general fund account to be expended in the county in which the fine was collected for the establishment, operation, management, and maintenance of a photo speed imaging detector system program.

     The Department of Transportation, Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, MADD-Hawaii, the Hawaii Bicycling League, and an individual testified in support of this bill.  The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu supported the intent of the measure.  The Office of the Public Defender and several concerned individuals opposed this bill.  The Judiciary submitted comments.

     The prevalence of drivers violating Hawaii's speeding laws, especially on the island of Oahu, has become intolerable.  These violations endanger the lives of motorists and pedestrians and compound the already hazardous conditions on Hawaii's roads and highways.  Speeding, especially excessive speeding, contributes to the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes since motorists have less time to react and stop.  Too many tragedies on Hawaii's roadways, many of them recent ones, have been attributed to excessive speeding and racing.  This measure will help curb such dangerous activities in Hawaii and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state.

     Your Committee notes that it was informed by the counties that county ordinances may have to be adopted to effectively administer the speed imaging detector system program.

     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. 352 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