STAND. COM. REP. NO.  131-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2790

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2790 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare by promoting traffic safety.  Among other things, this bill establishes a photo red light imaging detector system program to improve enforcement of traffic-signal laws by:

 

     (1)  Allowing county implementation of photo red light imaging detector system programs;

 

     (2)  Authorizing fines collected under county-administered programs to be deposited into a general fund account; and

 

     (3)  Authorizing funds from this general fund account to be expended in the county in which the fine was collected for the establishment, operation, management, and maintenance of a photo red light imaging detector system program.

 

     Mothers Against Drunk Driving HAWAII and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Office of the Public Defender and a concerned individual testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

 

     The prevalence of drivers violating Hawaii's traffic-signal laws, in particular the disregard of red light signals, especially on the island of Oahu, has become intolerable.  These violations endanger the lives of motorists and pedestrians and compound the already hazardous conditions on Hawaii's roads and highways.  Many senseless tragedies occur nationwide and on Hawaii's roadways because of drivers running red lights.  This measure will help curb such dangerous activities in Hawaii and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this 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 H.B. No. 2790 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair