HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0262.009 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura
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From: whoa [whao@hawaii.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:39 AM 2009 MY 18 319 10 31
To: Dennis Onishi; Kelly Greenwell; Guy Enriques; B Ford; D Ikeda; D Yagong; E Naeole; J
Yoshimoto; Pete Hoffmann; council testimony CO! Ji + . ('I
VI- IWJAII
Cc: Forissier, Kareen; Pete Hoffmann; Murray Gardner; nancy rose; Secretary SF~T~C; GLhner
Mench; Gunner Mench
Subject: Bill 66 supporting testimony for 5-19-09 PSP&R Committee
Importance: High
Attachments: testimonycellphones5192009.pdf
Aloha,
Please consider the attached Bill 66 testimony at the May 19, 2009 meeting of the Hawaii County Council
Committee for Public Safety and Parks and Recreation.
Mike Price - Chair South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
Comm. N ~~'Z• ~I
Ref. To: $ K
Ref. Date MAY 19 2009
5/18/2009
South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
P.O. Box 383375
Waikoloa, HI 96738
May 19, 2009
RE: TESTIMONY at the May 19, 2009 Hawaii County Council Committee for
Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Meeting
Dear Committee;
I am Michael Price and reside at 68-1794 Auhili Loop in Waikoloa Village, HI
96738. 1 am representing South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee. South Kohala
Traffic Safety Committee supports Bill No. 66 "Use of mobile electronic devices
while operating a vehicle".
This Bill will save lives and reduce the number traffic accidents in the County.
My testimony on April 21, 2009 presented the fact that "Studies show that driving
while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a 4 times
greater risk of a crash" referring to a 1997 New England Journal of Medicine
examination of hospital records. Bill 66 prohibits hand held devices, reducing the
crash risk. This is a progressive step to educate the public to use hands free
devices. If the program is successful a total ban may be avoidable. Many of the
roads in Hawaii County are in fair to poor deteriorated surface condition, most
are 2 lane with opposing streams of traffic, the risk of head on collisions is high.
Vehicle operators need to be attentive with both hands on the steering wheel to
control vehicles and avoid causing a crash.
Opponents of Bill 66 state the ordinance will be difficult to enforce, police officers
will acquire a negative image and the proposed penalties would "criminalize
violators". Please consider the life of the child crossing a street, the victim of a
driver inattentively crossing the center line into oncoming traffic. The person
injured or killed may not be a personal loss, but is definitely a citizen you have a
sworn duty to protect. Bill 66 prohibits an unsafe act and protects the general
public. Education of the public on this issue was discussed at the last reading. A
short media education program prior to enforcement fits the principle that
successful traffic safety programs are based on combining Education,
Enforcement and Engineering. Thank you for the opportunity to comment in
support of Bill 66. Your individual and combined support for this Bill is requested
and appreciated.
Sincerely
Mike Price-Chair South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee