Report Title:

Traffic Study; Schools; School Safety

Description:

Requires the department of education to conduct a traffic flow study of hazardous traffic conditions at Hawaii public schools and develop a safety plan. Appropriates funds.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1904

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to traffic safety at PUBLIC schools.

 

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

SECTION 1. There are many hazardous traffic conditions that exist at Hawaii's public schools, particularly during the morning when students are dropped off at school and in the afternoon when students are picked up from school. These safety hazards are compounded when egress and ingress at the schools is slow and frustrating for parents, as well as the faculty and students who attempt to find parking at the same time. In instances where students have to walk through a parking lot or congested areas to get to school, the traffic flow is further disrupted, resulting in a dangerous traffic environment. Often, there are not enough school security aides or safety managers to supervise and control the situation, as they are pressed with other duties. Moreover, poor planning and uncoordinated efforts have often hampered attempts to mitigate these traffic hazards.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to conduct a traffic study and develop a plan to decrease hazardous traffic conditions at all public schools throughout the State.

SECTION 2. The superintendent of education shall undertake a traffic flow study of hazardous traffic conditions at all public schools in the State. The study shall include a review of hazardous conditions relating to parking, drop off areas, pick up areas, ingress and egress, and pedestrian safety at schools. The study shall include other factors the department of education deems appropriate and relevant to decrease safety hazards, with regard to individual schools, such as:

(1) Surrounding communities affected by the school;

(2) Population densities and growth of those communities;

(3) Existing patterns and trends in traffic flows and densities;

(4) Peak capacities of surrounding roads and feeder highways around the affected school; and

(5) Any other factors the superintendent deems relevant.

The study shall include the recommendations and input of concerned neighbors, parents, faculty, and students. The superintendent shall submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature no later than December 31, 2006, including any necessary proposed legislation to implement the study's recommendations.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for a comprehensive study of hazardous traffic conditions near all of Hawaii's public schools and to develop a plan to decrease traffic safety hazards.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval, provided that section 2 shall take effect July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

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