The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the ouse Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs on March 16, 2023.
___________
March 16, 2023
2 p.m.
Conference Room 325 and Via Videoconference
To: House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair
Rep. Gregg Takayama, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: SB926 SD1 — RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS
Comments Only
Dear Chair and Committee Members:
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its comments on SB926 SD1, which would allow pedestrians to cross the street after exercising reasonable care that there is no danger of collision.
In other words, this bill trusts people to cross the street — something that most of us have been permitted to do since a relatively young age.
There is a certain irony in the need to pass a bill that recognizes the ability of pedestrians to cross the street safely. Many people might assume that such legislation is unnecessary or assume that it is the product of an overly rigid “nanny state.”
Unfortunately, the enforcement of statutes relating to pedestrians is indeed rigid, and the statutes themselves are — as noted in the language of this bill — “needlessly restrictive.”
Any Hawaii resident can regale you with a story of the absurdity of Hawaii’s pedestrian laws, including the expensive citation they or a friend received for being in the crosswalk a few seconds too soon or too late.
The current system contributes to an adversarial relationship between law enforcement and the public. Moreover, as the bill points out, it will also encourage more people to walk while making the streets friendlier to pedestrians.
We commend the committee for considering this bill and encourage them to recognize the “right to walk.” Hawaii residents can be trusted to cross the street safely.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit our comments.
Sincerely,
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
