STAND. COM. REP. NO. 324

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 98

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 98 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the requirement that a driver of a motor vehicle has to yield to or stop for a pedestrian by specifying when a pedestrian is considered to be within an intersection or adjacent crosswalk, or crossing the road within a crosswalk.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that there is confusion as to when a vehicle must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who plans to cross or is crossing a roadway, particularly with regard to when a pedestrian is considered to be within an intersection or adjacent crosswalk. This confusion has resulted in numerous accidents involving a motor vehicle and pedestrians trying to cross the street. Your Committee further finds that in 2018, 43 pedestrians were killed, which is 28 more pedestrians than in 2017. Your Committee finds that these numbers are too high and more effort needs to be done to ensure the safety of all pedestrians and drivers in the State.

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 S.B. No. 98 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair