STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2022

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.R. No. 110

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.R. No. 110 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY OF STATE AND COUNTY INTERSECTIONS TO DETERMINE WHETHER TRAFFIC SIGNALS PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE STREET,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this resolution is to protect the safety of pedestrians by requesting the Department of Transportation (DOT), in conjunction with each county, to conduct a study of state and county intersections to determine whether traffic signals at those locations provide sufficient time for pedestrians, especially elderly and disabled pedestrians, to cross the street.

 

     The Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 testified in support of this measure.  DOT supported the intent of this measure.

 

     Pedestrian safety has become a major concern in Hawaii in recent months.  This is especially true on Oahu where, in the first few months of 2007, ten pedestrian fatalities have already occurred.  Many of these fatalities have involved elderly pedestrians.

 

In a recent survey conducted by the AARP, many intersections were identified to have inadequate crossing times for elderly pedestrians.  Allowing elderly pedestrians more time to cross the street will not only increase traffic safety for the elderly but for pedestrians in general.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 110 and recommends its adoption.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair