Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17
03/26/2009 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB194 | |
| HB181 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 194 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 181 | ||
HB 181-USE OF HEADLIGHTS REQUIRED 2:11:26 PM CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 181, "An Act relating to the use of headlights when operating a motor vehicle." 2:11:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of HB 181, stated that several questions were raised at the last hearing. He recalled testimony from the Alaskan Bikers Advocating Training and Education (ABATE), an organization that represents motorcyclists. He reported that two studies were done to determine whether a "sea of headlights" would prevent drivers from discerning motorcyclists. One study was conducted in Norway that produced a non-statistical significant increase after a "headlights on" bill was adopted. A 2004 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that a "headlights on" policy reduced daytime opposite direction crashes with motorcycles between 23 and 26 percent. He offered to continue to work with ABATE to understand why the organization opposes the bill. 2:13:53 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI recalled that Representative Johansen, during a prior hearing on HB 181, had raised the issue of how the proposed law would be applied in relation to drivers being told by the Alaska Marine Highway System (AHMS) workers to turn headlights off when in the AMHS parking lot. He explained that since an AMHS parking lot is not a physical right-of-way, it would not be an issue. However, if a vehicle is on board the AMHS vessel, it actually is in the right-of-way, which creates a possible conflict. 2:14:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI recalled the issue of turning off headlights when approaching a military post. He showed photographs of Fort Wainwright in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, [included in the committee packet], which depict signs on base that inform drivers to dim their lights and prepare to stop. He related similar signage is used at Elmendorf Air Force base and the military facilities in Kodiak, in Ketchikan, and by the Alaska Marine Highway System. He acknowledged that during a previous hearing, the committee had expressed concern about what might happen if a driver obeys a sign to dim his/her headlights and there a nearby police office witnesses this. He pointed out that current law requires drivers to have their headlights on during night-time driving, beginning one half hour before sunset and ending one half hour after sunrise. He stated that he has never heard of a person being pulled over for dimming their lights on base, thus, he opined that doing so is a non-issue. He further explained that the definition of headlight systems is found in regulation. 2:17:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN mentioned DOT&PF's plan to install two signs "at ferry access to airport - both sides - on Tongass." He noted that signs will be posted so that drivers of vehicles will be advised to turn their headlights on. He asked if these signs, at a cost of $3,500 each, would affect the fiscal note. KURT SMITH, Traffic and Safety Engineer, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOTPF), agreed that would require two additional signs. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked if that means there would be four signs, at a cost of $14,000, within approximately 600 yards of each other. MR. SMITH responded that he is not familiar with the layout in that area, but stated that DOT&PF would figure out where it would be appropriate to place signs. If the department judged that less signs would suffice, it would economize. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN stated it is nice to know the details before passing a bill that requires funds; however, he said he thinks DOT&PF can be counted on to make good decisions. 2:19:34 PM CHAIR WILSON inquired as to whether the signs could be combined to not require yet another sign that may clutter up the area. MR. SMITH answered that DOT&PF would minimize the posts in the field. 2:20:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON referred to the fiscal note and asked about the necessity of a seven-foot-wide sign. MR. SMITH related that some signs would be located at points of entry to the state. He agreed that a seven-foot sign would look big in a room, but once it is placed along a roadway it is not that big. He maintained that the size would be necessary to call motorists' attention to the law. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked how many entries there are to the state. MR. SMITH stated that DOT&PF has more entry points than listed, but would attempt to provide signage for the most important points. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked if the fiscal note is correct. MR. SMITH maintained that DOT&PF would determine the most important points of entry for the signage. CHAIR WILSON reiterated that DOT&PF is attempting to minimize the signage locations and place them at the most important entrance points. 2:21:30 PM CHAIR WILSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 181. 2:22:04 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report HB 181 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 181 was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
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