HB 229: Traffic Code; Oversized Commercial Vehicles; Towing; Restrictions; Penalties

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-55, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§291C-55[]]  Oversized commercial vehicles; prohibition from using left lane.  (a)  Upon any roadway having three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, no commercial vehicle weighing ten thousand pounds or more nor any motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer, as defined in section 286-2, shall be driven in the far left lane unless:

     (1)  The commercial vehicle or motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer is able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow; and

     (2)  The commercial vehicle or motor vehicle towing a vehicle or trailer is in the process of overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement.

     (b)  This section shall not apply to [commercial]:

     (1)  Commercial vehicles or motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer occupying the left lane for the purpose of turning left or exiting, or preparing to turn left or exit[.]; and

     (2)  Motor vehicles used for public transit, school buses, and authorized emergency vehicles.

     (c)  Violation of any of the provisions of this section shall subject the violator to the following penalties:

     (1)  For a first violation, the person shall be fined not more than $           ;

     (2)  For a second violation under this section, the person shall be fined not more than $           ; and

     (3)  For a third or subsequent violation committed within three years of a violation under this section, the person shall be fined not more than $           , attend a traffic safety course, or both.

     (d)  This section shall apply only to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more.

     [(c)] (e)  For the purposes of this section, "commercial vehicle" shall have the same meaning as in section 291-11.5.  "Commercial vehicle" does not include buses or van pools operated by the counties."

     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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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:

Traffic Code; Oversized Commercial Vehicles; Towing; Restrictions; Penalties

Description:

Restricts motor vehicles that tow a motor vehicle or trailer from the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes going in the same direction with exemptions.  Specifies penalties for restricted motor vehicles who drive in the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes moving in the same direction.  Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

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 TRANSPORTATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part X to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291C-     Speed limits for certain vehicles; penalties.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no person shall drive a motor vehicle with three or more axles or a motor vehicle weighing more than ten thousand pounds, except for school or public buses, at a speed exceeding:

     (1)  Fifty miles per hour or more irrespective of the applicable state or county speed limit; or

     (2)  Five miles per hour less than the applicable state or county speed limit.

     (b)  This section shall not apply to a motor vehicle with three or more axles when:

     (1)  Actively overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction in compliance with applicable traffic laws; and

     (2)  Utilizing the left lane for the purpose of making a left turn, exiting, or preparing to do so.

     (c)  Any person violating this section shall be fined no less than $150 for the first offense and no more than $350 for any subsequent offense within a two-year period.

     (d)  This section shall apply only to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more; provided that a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand may adopt an ordinance to establish the restrictions provided for in this section.

     (e)  For the purposes of this section, "motor vehicle with three or more axles" means a vehicle with a Federal Highway Administration vehicle category classification of six or higher."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

Report Title:

Traffic Code; Speed Restrictions; Motor Vehicle; Three Axles or More; Penalties

Description:

Establishes a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds, except under certain circumstances, in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more.  Authorizes a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to adopt an ordinance that establishes a speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds.  Establishes penalties.  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 transportation.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part X to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§291C-     Speed limits for certain vehicles.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no person shall drive a motor vehicle with three or more axles or a motor vehicle weighing more than ten thousand pounds, except for school or public buses, at a speed exceeding:

     (1)  Fifty miles per hour or more irrespective of the applicable state or county speed limit; or

     (2)  Five miles per hour less than the applicable state or county speed limit.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section "motor vehicle with three or more axles" means a vehicle with a Federal Highway Administration vehicle category classification of six or higher."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOT; Traffic Code; Speed Restrictions; Motor Vehicles

Description:

Establishes a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds.

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. 1344

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 229

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 229, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds, except under certain circumstances, in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more;

     (2)  Authorize a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to adopt an ordinance that establishes a speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds; and

     (3)  Establish penalties.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.

     Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City and County of Honolulu.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

     Your Committees find that a 2024 Department of Transportation behavioral study found that nearly twenty-five percent of respondents admitted to speeding by more than twenty miles per hour over the maximum posted speed limit.  Excessive speeding is especially dangerous for large vehicles, which take longer to decelerate and stop due to their mass and height.  Those factors also make large vehicles more likely to be involved in accidents resulting in fatalities.  By increasing regulations on certain large motor vehicles, this measure will improve roadway safety for all roadway users.

     Your Committees note that the intent of this measure is to help mitigate the potential injuries and fatalities that can occur as a result of a collision with a large vehicle.  Your Committees believe that further clarification is needed for large motor vehicle regulations to be implemented effectively.  Therefore, this measure needs to be amended to address this issue.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting language that:

     (1)  Restricts motor vehicles that tow a motor vehicle or trailer, as defined in section 286-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes going the same direction;

     (2)  Exempts motor vehicles used for public transit, school buses, and authorized emergency vehicles from driving on the far left on roadways having three or more lanes moving in the same direction;

     (3)  Specifies penalties for restricted motor vehicles that drive in the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes moving in the same direction; and

     (4)  Specifies that the restrictions shall apply only to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 229, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 229, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1159

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 229

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 229, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds, except under certain circumstances, in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more; and

     (2)  Authorize a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to adopt an ordinance that establishes a speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Transportation Association and Aloha Marine Lines.

     Your Committee finds that large vehicles, such as those with three or more axles or exceeding ten thousand pounds, require additional safety measures due to their impact on traffic conditions.  High speeds make it more difficult for these vehicles to stop or change direction quickly, increasing the potential for serious accidents.  This measure promotes safer roadways and aims to minimize collision risks by reducing speed limits for such vehicles.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 229, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  381

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 229

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 229 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles with three or more axles or motor vehicles weighing more than ten thousand pounds.

     Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that large vehicles, particularly those with three or more axles or weighing over ten thousand pounds, pose a unique risk to road safety due to their size and the difficulty they present in maneuvering at high speeds.  Your Committee further finds that data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows a two percent increase in fatalities and a 3.7 percent increase in injuries from crashes involving large trucks between 2021 and 2022.  This measure establishes appropriate speed limits for such vehicles, ensuring that they operate within a safe range that reduces the likelihood of accidents and enhances overall traffic flow and safety.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Establishing exemptions from this measure under certain circumstances;

     (2)  Establishing a minimum fine of $150 for a first offense and a maximum fine of $350 for a subsequent offense within a two-year period;

     (3)  Specifying that this measure applies only to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more and authorizing a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to adopt an ordinance adopting the provisions of this measure;

     (4)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 229, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 229, 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,