COM 1031.000 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EAST HAWAII AGGRESSIVE DRIVING PROGRAM PROGRAM PROPOSAL A letter dated November 15, 2007 from Hawaii County Council member J Yoshimoto, making reference to Resolution 391-07 and Bill 195 which transferred $33,750 to an Aggressive Driving Project in West Hawaii. Council Member J Yoshimoto proposed to transfer $35,000 from his Contingency account to the Hawaii Police Department to start an Aggressive Driving Project for East Hawaii with special attention being paid to Puna. Council Member J Yoshimoto represents South Hilo (Waiakea Homesteads and Waiakea-Uka) and Puna (Keaau, Kurtistown, Orchidland and Mountain View). BACKGROUND Aggressive driving is recognized as a serious problem nationally and directly relates to one of the major causes of traffic accidents and injuries or death on our highways. There have also been criminal reports initiated due to "road rage" directly linked to aggressive drivers causing or nearly causing a traffic accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as occurring when "an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." Many of the speeding violations and aggressive driving violations take place during the commuting hours 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. The fact that many residents of East Hawaii are commuting to and from work in other districts have greatly impacted the driving habits of our community who must work in districts as far away as Kona or Waikoloa. Many drivers are traveling on daily basis and begin their commute as early as 5:00 A.M. and not returning home until sometime after 6:00 P.M. The fact that many drivers are spending extended hours commuting to and from work contribute to the aggressive driving habits as they try to spend less time on the road.