HB 2163: Pedestrians; Crosswalks; Right-of-way

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-72, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  [The] Regardless of which half of the roadway upon which a vehicle is traveling, the driver of [a] the vehicle shall stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk [when the pedestrian is either:

     (1)  Upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling; or

     (2)  Approaching the vehicle so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger,]

and shall not proceed until the pedestrian has [passed] completely exited the [vehicle] crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed.

     For purposes of this [section,] subsection, "a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk" occurs when any part or extension of the pedestrian, including any part of the pedestrian's body, wheelchair, cane, crutch, or bicycle, is beyond the curb or edges of the traversable roadway and moves onto the roadway within an intersection or crosswalk."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Pedestrians; Crosswalks; Right-of-way

Description:

Requires the driver of a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk and not to proceed until the pedestrian has completely exited the crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to pedestrians.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-72, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  [The] Regardless of which half of the roadway upon which a vehicle is traveling, the driver of [a] the vehicle shall stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk [when the pedestrian is either:

     (1)  Upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling; or

     (2)  Approaching the vehicle so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger,]

and shall not proceed until the pedestrian has [passed] completely exited the [vehicle] crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed.

     For purposes of this [section,] subsection, "a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk" occurs when any part or extension of the pedestrian, including any part of the pedestrian's body, wheelchair, cane, crutch, or bicycle, is beyond the curb or edges of the traversable roadway and moves onto the roadway within an intersection or crosswalk."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Pedestrians; Crosswalks; Right-of-way

Description:

Requires the driver of a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk and not to proceed until the pedestrian has completely exited the crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  431-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2163

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2163 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the driver of a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk and not to proceed until the pedestrian has completely exited the crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Executive Office on Aging; and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that ambiguity in existing crosswalk laws may allow drivers to proceed before a pedestrian has fully cleared the crosswalk, creating unsafe conditions and increasing the risk of collisions.  Pedestrians, including kupuna, children, and individuals with mobility limitations, require clear and consistent right-of-way protections to ensure they can safely traverse roadways.  By establishing a clear standard that prioritizes pedestrian safety, this measure promotes safer intersections and enhances protections for individuals lawfully crossing the street.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee notes the concerns expressed in testimony regarding the impacts of additional laws on motorists and enforcement challenges with existing pedestrian safety laws.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2163, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2163, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,