HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-18 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen HB 1676 HD1 Relating to Highway Safety
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 18, 2020
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair
Committee on Finance
Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen and Committee Members:
RE: HB 1676, HD1 Relating to Highway Safety
Thank you for hearing HB 1676, HD1. I testify in support of this measure but ask that it be amended to
include all counties that choose to participate.
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 precious seconds.
There are jurisdictions on the mainland and around the world where traffic laws are ignored and driving
is chaotic. Though some might think that Hawaiʻi 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 HB 1676 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. HB 1676, HD1 could provide that opportunity for those counties that wish to participate.
However, though Part I of HB 1676 talks about authorizing “any impacted county to implement the
photo red light imaging detector system pilot program,” Part II says “ ‘County’ means a county with a resident
population of greater than five hundred thousand.” We would respectfully request that the opportunity to
participate be open to all counties, or that the population threshold be lowered to 200,000. A corresponding
amendment would have to be made to the section designating area boundaries.
I ask for your favorable action on an amended HB 1676, HD1.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR