HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-05 Letter to Lorraine Inouye, Breene Harimoto, Clarence Nishihara, Glenn Wakai SB 2994 Relating to Highway Safety �<Y Oih,,
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
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Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai`i
Office of the Mayor
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February 5, 2020
Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Chair
Senator Breene Harimoto, Vice Chair
Committee on Transportation
Senator Clarence K. Nishara, Chair
Senator Glenn Wakai, Vice Chair
Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs
Hawaii State Legislature
Dear Chairs Inouye and Nishihara, Vice-Chair Harimoto and Wakai, and Committee members:
RE: SB 2994 Relating to Highway Safety
Thank you for hearing SB 2994. I testify in support of this measure.
As our populations grow, so does traffic, leading to more traffic congestion and greater driver
frustration. Frustration, in turn, can lead to more carelessness or more risk taking, such as pushing the
envelope on running red lights to save a few seconds on one's journey.
There are jurisdictions on the mainland and around the world where traffic laws are ignored and driving
is chaotic. Though some might think that Hawaii has already achieved that state, in truth we have managed to
retain some respect for law, even traffic laws, and we need to do what we can to assure that our standards do
not deteriorate, and perhaps even move up a notch or two.
The preamble to SB 2994 is an excellent summary of our history with red-light enforcement, and why
we should authorize the counties to try pilot programs. It may be necessary to prove to the public that such
programs can be administered fairly and are in the best interest of the traveler—whether driver, bicyclist, or
pedestrian. SB 2994 will provide that opportunity for those counties that wish to participate.
I ask for your favorable action on SB 2994.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Harry
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.