Bill Text: HI HR134 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Pedestrian Activated Crosswalk Signals; Statewide Installation
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-16 - Referred to TRN, FIN, referral sheet 33 [HR134 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-HR134-Introduced.html
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
134 |
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING the State department of transportation and respective counties to work together for statewide Installation and implementation of pedestrian activated signals for crosswalks.
WHEREAS, Hawaii has had too many deaths and tragic injuries of pedestrians struck in crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has an average of twenty-eight pedestrian fatalities and approximately five hundred sixty pedestrian injuries per year, and has the fourth highest pedestrian fatality rate in the United States; and
WHEREAS, pedestrian crosswalk safety is such a pervasive community issue that in 2008, the University of Hawaii published a study titled "Modeling Violation of Hawaii’s Crosswalk Law" to analyze the issue; and
WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii study "Modeling Violation of Hawaii’s Crosswalk Law" found that proportionately more drivers than pedestrians violate the crosswalk law, with the most common violation being not stopping for pedestrians who are in the crosswalk, followed by stopping but continuing to proceed before the pedestrian has left the crosswalk; and
WHEREAS, Act 54, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, requires the state Department of Transportation and related county departments to ensure the accommodation of all users of the road, regardless of their age, ability, or mode of transportation, and established the Complete Streets Task Force(CSTF) to review existing road design standards and guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the CSTF recommended that concerning the topic of crosswalk markings, there should be a pedestrian activated signal or warning activation for mid-block crossings that cross four or more lanes; and
WHEREAS, the current pilot projects involving pedestrian activated signalized crosswalks require a considerable amount of community dissemination for pedestrians, drivers, and law enforcement agencies implementing pedestrian right-of-way laws; and
WHEREAS, drivers are not automatically tested following changes in crosswalk law; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii crosswalk law was made stricter to raise awareness of pedestrians and appears to be working, but legislation is not a complete solution; now; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that this body hereby requests the state Department of Transportation and respective counties to work together for statewide installation and implementation of pedestrian activated signals for crosswalks; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that crosswalks with a higher incidence of pedestrian injuries or fatalities are requested to be prioritized for pedestrian activated signals and lighting improvements; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation to the Legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, and the respective mayors, council chairs, and chiefs of police of Hawaii County, the City and County of Honolulu, Kauai County, and Maui County.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Pedestrian Activated Crosswalk Signals; Statewide Installation