Transportation (Traffic Safety)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

GM 1195: Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1692 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 095).

This bill, signed into law as Act 095, expands Hawaii's existing traffic safety rules to protect drivers and passengers stranded near disabled vehicles. It requires motorists approaching a stationary vehicle displaying warning signals, such as hazard lights or cones, to slow down and change lanes if it is safe to do so. The law also clarifies that violating this requirement is a traffic offense, but if an accident occurs resulting in death or injury, the driver faces more serious criminal charges like negligent homicide. Additionally, the bill prohibits people from riding in the open bed of a pickup truck unless there is no seating in the cab and specific safety conditions are met, with exceptions for emergency services and agricultural transport.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by strengthening rules for drivers near disabled vehicles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

GM 1194: Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3157 HD2 CD1 (ACT 094).

This bill establishes a state-run automated speed enforcement program to issue fines for speeding violations on state and county highways in counties with populations of 5,000 or more. Money collected from these fines will be deposited into a special fund dedicated solely to covering the costs of establishing, operating, and maintaining the enforcement systems. The law also creates a separate program for photo red light imaging detectors, which can be implemented in Honolulu after a pilot phase before expanding to other areas. Additionally, the bill mandates that any contracts for operating these systems must be reissued every five years, though existing contracts remain valid until their expiration.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes automated speed enforcement to enhance road safety and funds the program via collected fines.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 27, 2026

GM 1144: Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2667 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 044).

This bill, signed into law as Act 044, prohibits oversized commercial vehicles and those towing trailers from driving in the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes in the same direction. The restriction applies specifically to counties with a population of 500,000 or more and allows exceptions for vehicles turning, exiting, or emergency and passenger transport vehicles. Violations are subject to escalating fines up to $1,000 and may require attendance at a traffic safety course for repeat offenders within three years.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by restricting oversized vehicles in high-traffic lanes, reducing accident risks in populous counties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 51: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO UTILIZE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO MITIGATE TRAFFIC AND IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY IN THE STATE.

This House Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Transportation and Honolulu's transportation departments to explore using artificial intelligence to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety. It highlights concerns about rising traffic fatalities and congestion while noting that other states are already using AI for traffic management. The resolution requests that these agencies submit a report within 20 days assessing existing technologies and the feasibility of integrating AI systems into current infrastructure. This measure does not mandate implementation but asks agencies to evaluate and report on the potential for adopting AI-driven traffic solutions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly urges adoption of AI for traffic mitigation and safety improvements, demonstrating clear support for advancing technology applications in public infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill urges DOT to use AI to improve road safety and reduce traffic, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 127: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized state-level enforcement unit focused on highway safety. The resolution highlights the potential benefits of combining transportation infrastructure expertise with law enforcement authority to improve traffic management and response to incidents. It does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force, but rather serves as a formal recommendation to the relevant state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to establish a state highway police force to improve traffic safety and supplement county police efforts, which aligns with strengthening law enforcement capabilities.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes state highway police force to enhance transportation safety and reduce traffic fatalities through specialized enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 70: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This Senate resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. The bill aims to improve road safety by adding a specialized enforcement unit that would supplement existing county police efforts. If established, this force would be trained to handle highway incidents, clear crash scenes quickly, and enforce traffic laws more effectively. The resolution directs these two state agencies to collaborate on the initiative, though it does not mandate funding or specific operational details.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes specialized highway police force to improve road safety and traffic law enforcement, strengthening law enforcement capabilities within criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates state highway police force to improve road safety and traffic law enforcement, directly advancing transportation safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 88: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER MOVING TO A DEMERIT POINTS-BASED DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to evaluate adopting a demerit points-based driver's licensing system. The bill asks state officials to consider tracking traffic violations by assigning points to driver licenses, similar to systems used in 40 other states and the District of Columbia. It is intended to address Hawaii's high number of traffic fatalities by providing a structured way to monitor and discourage dangerous driving behaviors. The resolution directs copies to the Department of Transportation and county mayors for their consideration.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes safer driving through demerit points system, enhancing transportation safety and reducing fatalities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HCR 55: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO UTILIZE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO MITIGATE TRAFFIC AND IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY IN THE STATE.

This House Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the City and County of Honolulu to explore using artificial intelligence to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety. The measure is based on concerns about rising traffic fatalities and congestion in Hawaii, noting that other states are already using AI for traffic management. It requests that these agencies submit a report within 20 days assessing the feasibility of integrating AI technologies into existing traffic systems. The resolution does not mandate immediate implementation but asks for a study to evaluate how AI could be applied to current infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly encourages adoption of AI technology for traffic mitigation and safety improvements, demonstrating clear support for advancing technology applications in public infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill urges DOT and Honolulu to use AI to reduce traffic and improve road safety, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 80: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a Senate concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by combining transportation expertise with law enforcement resources to improve road safety and traffic management. The resolution does not create new laws or authorize funding but serves as a formal request for these agencies to collaborate on establishing a specialized police unit focused on highway incidents.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes road safety through collaboration between transportation and law enforcement agencies to establish a state highway police force, directly enhancing transportation safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 64: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MINIMIZE RUMBLE STRIP DIMENSIONS ON A SEGMENT OF KAMEHAMEHA V HIGHWAY ON MOLOKAI TO REDUCE UNINTENDED HAZARDS.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to modify the dimensions of rumble strips on a specific section of Kamehameha V Highway on Molokai, east of mile marker 9.5. The resolution states that the current rumble strips are too aggressive and cause drivers to swerve or straddle lane lines to avoid the intense vibration, which creates new safety risks by pushing vehicles into narrow shoulder areas used by cyclists and pedestrians. The bill recommends changing the strip design to a shallower sinusoidal or mumble profile that provides necessary lane-departure warnings without encouraging avoidance maneuvers. This is a non-binding recommendation aimed at improving road safety while reducing noise pollution for local residents.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aims to improve road safety by reducing hazards from aggressive rumble strips, protecting cyclists and pedestrians on transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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