Report Title:
Highway Safety; Traffic Accident Investigation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the counties from the neurotrauma special fund for purchase and training in the use of photogrammetric traffic accident investigation technology.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1275 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to highway safety.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that traffic accident management is of utmost public importance, especially when a fatality occurs. Although the evidence collected at traffic accident scenes is crucial to determining the cause of the accident and to fix responsibility for the injuries and death that result, these accident investigations proceed at a slower rate in Hawaii than in comparable metropolitan areas in the United States. The length of time for lane closures in Hawaii ranges from two to four hours for major traffic accidents to as much as eight hours when a fatality occurs.
The legislature also finds that these prolonged closures of traffic lanes adversely affect the public and our economy because students cannot reach school and school activities or return home afterwards; employees cannot reach their place of work or attend meetings at remote locations; and businesses cannot receive or deliver products necessary to conduct business. These traffic jams also bode ill for the economy because tourists cannot reach their destinations and spend money and may leave Hawaii feeling that they have not been on vacation at all. Moreover, these prolonged investigative delays may result in secondary accidents that cause further delays and incur additional expenses. Expenditure from the neurotrauma special fund of assessments paid by those convicted of traffic offenses creating the risk of injury and death is appropriate to improve traffic accident investigation and is an investment that will pay for itself by reducing overall costs and removing obstacles to the smooth flow of our economy.
The purpose of this Act is to expedite the investigation of major traffic accidents statewide by providing grants-in-aid to the counties for photogrammetry equipment and training.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the neurotrauma special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for a grant-in-aid to purchase and train police officers in the use of photogrammetric traffic accident investigation technology in the county of Hawaii.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the neurotrauma special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for a grant-in-aid to purchase and train police officers in the use of photogrammetric traffic accident investigation technology in the city and county of Honolulu.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the neurotrauma special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for a grant-in-aid to purchase and train police officers in the use of photogrammetric traffic accident investigation technology in the county of Kauai.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Kauai for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the neurotrauma special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for a grant-in-aid to purchase and train police officers in the use of photogrammetric traffic accident investigation technology in the county of Maui.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Maui for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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