SCR 23: requesting the department of transportation and department of law enforcement to study the possibility of a highway patrol and speed cameras along major freeways and HIGHWAYS in primary areas OF speeding.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of transportation and department of law enforcement to study the possibility of a highway patrol and speed cameras along major freeways and HIGHWAYS in primary areas OF speeding.

     WHEREAS, the increase in traffic congestion and speeding throughout the State has heightened the risk of harm to drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and

     WHEREAS, according to state traffic data, speeding continues to be the most common contributing factor in motor vehicle fatalities; and

     WHEREAS, while local law enforcement is currently responsible for managing driving behaviors on the State's roadways and highways, these smaller agencies often do not have the resources available to respond to each traffic safety issue within their jurisdiction; and

     WHEREAS, to effectively curb excessive and dangerous speeding, other states have sought collaborative efforts with a variety of state departments including those with jurisdictions over transportation, law enforcement, and engineering; and

     WHEREAS, where technology such as automated speed enforcement systems has been implemented, state and local law enforcement have been able to maximize the impact of scarce resources in order to prevent speeding-related crashes; and

     WHEREAS, as statewide departments, the Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Transportation have a greater capacity for collaborative work to develop clearer traffic safety designs than local law enforcement agencies; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement are requested to study the possibility of a highway patrol and speed cameras along major freeways and highways in primary areas of speeding; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation and Director of Law Enforcement.

Report Title: 

DOT; DLE; Speeding; Traffic Safety; Highways; Automated Speed Enforcement; Highway Patrol

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2057

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 23

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 S.C.R. No. 23 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF A HIGHWAY PATROL AND SPEED CAMERAS ALONG MAJOR FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS IN PRIMARY AREAS OF SPEEDING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to study the possibility of a highway patrol and speed cameras along major freeways and highways in primary areas of speeding.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the impact of increased traffic congestion and excessive speeding on the State's roadways pose significant risks to drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  Limited resources among local law enforcement agencies make it challenging to effectively enforce speed limits and address traffic safety concerns.  This measure aims to enhance enforcement and reduce speed-related crashes by looking into the possibility of implementing speed cameras on major freeways and highways in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 23 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1364

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 23

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 Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 23 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF A HIGHWAY PATROL AND SPEED CAMERAS ALONG MAJOR FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS IN PRIMARY AREAS OF SPEEDING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to study the possibility of a highway patrol and speed cameras along major freeways and highways in primary areas of speeding.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation.

     Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

     Your Committees find that studies have shown that the State's Automated Speed Enforcement Program has shown major reductions in red light violations.  Furthermore, high visibility enforcement has been proven to reduce undesirable driver behaviors.  Your Committees conclude that studying potential expansion of speed enforcement policies is necessary for the furtherance of the State's public transportation safety.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 23 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs,