Bill Text: HI HB175 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Emergency Vehicles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [HB175 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB175-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
175 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the use of sirens by emergency vehicles can be necessary to alert other vehicles and pedestrians that an emergency vehicle is exercising its authority to disregard certain traffic laws, such as proceeding through a red light or exceeding the posted speed limit. The legislature further finds that some emergency response sectors have determined that there should be flexibility to not engage the siren in situations where it is unnecessary, such as responding at night when the streets are empty of cars and pedestrians. Further, the city and county of Honolulu has expressed in its ordinances that the siren should be used "as may be reasonably necessary". Despite this, some emergency response sectors believe that the use of the siren is mandatory in all circumstances. The legislature notes that the unnecessary use of a siren contributes to noise pollution, especially in heavily-congested residential areas.
Accordingly, the purpose of this measure is to provide flexibility in the use of sirens by emergency response vehicles in certain circumstances.
SECTION 2. Section 291C-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c) The exemptions granted in subsection (b) to
an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the vehicle is making use
of authorized audible and visual signals[, except as otherwise provided by
county ordinance.]; provided that use of an authorized audible signal
shall not be required if it is not reasonably necessary under the
circumstances. This subsection shall
not apply to police vehicles."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Emergency Vehicles; Siren Use
Description:
Makes it discretionary for authorized emergency vehicles to use sirens when responding to an emergency or in other specified situations if the siren is not reasonably necessary under the circumstances.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
