THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	47
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

Urging the department of transportation to promote awareness and safety of blind and visually impaired pedestrians.

     WHEREAS, there are over five hundred serious pedestrian-related accidents annually in Hawaii with twenty to thirty resulting in fatalities; and

     WHEREAS, blind and visually impaired individuals must take additional precautions when crossing streets, particularly due to their inability to see vehicles; and

     WHEREAS, blind and visually impaired individuals often rely on their sense of hearing to determine when it is safe to cross a street; and

     WHEREAS, electric and hybrid vehicles often make very little noise when driving at low speeds and blind and visually impaired individuals have complained that it is difficult to determine if an electric or hybrid vehicle nearby prevents the safe crossing of a street; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Department of Transportation is urged to promote driver awareness of blind and visually impaired pedestrians, including placing awareness posters in public facilities, purchasing radio and television advertisements, and installing street signs in areas of high pedestrian use by blind and visually impaired individuals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Blind; Visually Impaired; Pedestrian; Department of Transportation