STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1270

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

 

RE:   H.R. No. 37

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.R. No. 37 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION OF HAWAII'S DRIVERS REGARDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO BLIND PEDESTRIANS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this resolution is to insure that Hawaii drivers are exposed to their responsibilities toward blind pedestrians during the driver licensing process.

 

     Several concerned individuals who are also blind testified in support.

 

     Act 75, Session Laws of Hawaii 1972, specifically established the responsibilities of Hawaii drivers toward blind pedestrians, yet none of Hawaii's counties have yet to include questions about these responsibilities on any driver licensing examinations. Most other states already include questions regarding blind pedestrians in their written driving tests.

 

     A blind pedestrian has always faced challenges crossing our roads, particularly at intersections with right turn lanes. More recently they also face challenges with hybrid and electric vehicles because a blind person relies heavily on their hearing to guide them and is unable to hear an on-coming hybrid or electric vehicle. Thus your committee finds that it is reasonable to ask the counties to include information regarding safety of the blind pedestrian in their driver licensing examinations.

 

     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. 37 and recommends its adoption.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair