Report Title:

Motor Vehicles; Reverse Warning Systems; Bumper heights

Description:

Permits motor vehicle backup warning beepers to be disabled between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if certain conditions are met. Eliminates specific requirements for bumper heights for vehicles.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1303
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to motor vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291-35.1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§291-35.1  [Regulation of bumper height.] Reverse warning systems.  [Maximum bumper heights of motor vehicles shall be determined by the weight category of gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) as measured from a level surface to the highest point on the bottom of the bumper.  Maximum heights are as follows:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Front Rear

Passenger vehicles            22 inches    22 inches

4,500 lbs. and under          29 inches    29 inches

4,501 lbs. to 7,500 lbs.      33 inches    33 inches

7,501 lbs. to 10,000 lbs.     35 inches    35 inches

For any vehicle with bumpers or attaching components which have been modified or altered from the original manufacturer's design to conform with the maximum bumper height requirements of this section, the bumper height shall be measured from a level surface to the bottom of the bumper.  The vehicle frame rail, measured from a level surface to the bottom of the vehicle frame rail, shall not exceed the attached bumper height.  The maximum distance between vehicle body to vehicle frame rail shall not exceed three inches.  The distance between the vehicle body to vehicle frame rail shall be measured from the vehicle body mount seat to the vehicle frame rail mount seat. 

"Bumper", for purposes of this section means a horizontal load bearing protective system installed on a motor vehicle which is constructed of sturdy materials that will not shatter or split upon moderate impact and provides adequate protection against damages to the front and rear external lighting and reflective devices, hood, trunk, doors, painted surfaces, cooling system, exhaust system, and other components during a low speed impact.]

     Any vehicle that exceeds the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission - Regulation 12 recommended bumper height, based on the gross vehicle weight rating, shall be equipped with an audible reverse warning system.  The audible reverse warning system may be manually turned off for noise control purposes between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if the vehicle is also:

(1) Equipped with a rearview camera system that provides the driver with a clear view of the vehicle's rearward path that operates whenever the vehicle is reversing;

(2) Equipped with rear flashing lights that are activated when, and continue to operate while, a vehicle is reversing; or

(3) Guided by a person, other than the driver of the vehicle, who is positioned behind the vehicle with a clear view of both the vehicle's rearward path and the vehicle's driver.

Any switch permitting the audible reverse warning system to be manually disengaged shall itself automatically turn off after a fixed period of time and automatically engage the audible reverse warning system.  The director shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement this section.  The audible reverse warning system is not required on any open cab vehicle with a distance of less than four feet from the rear of the driver's seating position to the [rear most] rearmost part of the vehicle body."
     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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