Comment:
Aloha,
Are there any efforts to end the nuisance from backup beepers, especially from construction or agricultural vehicles?
It is ridiculous that these have to go off all day long indefinitely, on top of the usual noise & air pollution from heavy duty vehicles. Smarter technology exists that uses unidirectional/white noise to alert anyone behind the vehicle but not the entire neighborhood. In fact, the State required that the Rail project use this technology due to overnight work.
Since the "required" beepers stem from Federal guidelines regarding worker safety, I believe the best approach would be updating the State's Occupational Safety & Health regulations to make them more stringent than the federal government, requiring a worker spotter or unidirectional/white noise (but no longer the status quo beepers). Probably needs to start with State legislature or Mayor's office.
I live on Maui, but my understanding is that the State would be the place to change this, not the County.
Mahalo,
Wailuku, HI
Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
Yes, there is legislative activity on the topic of backup alarms. Current HB128, introduced by Representative Linda Ichiyama, has been referred to 3 committees for review. The main tenets of this legislation are:
-Prohibits the use of audible reverse warning systems on vehicles operating in residential zones, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-Requires operators of vehicles equipped with an audible reverse warning system to reverse the vehicle only when another person is available to direct the vehicle's reversing.
-Prohibits the use of motor vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more from operating in residential zones, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-Subjects violators to a fine of up to $1,000
The committees that HB128 was referred to after passing first reading are Health (HLT), Transportation (TRN), and Judiciary (JUD). Next step for the Bill would be reports from these committees, although hearings are not yet scheduled so this legislation could be stalled or dead. You might want to email Rep Ichiyama at repichiyama@Capitol.hawaii.gov and inquire about its status, and make any recommendations you may have on this Bill.
You can also monitor status of this and other noise-related legislation on our website at https://www.quieteroahu.com/current-legislative-activity.html . On our Legislative Activity page clicking on the Bill number in blue will link you to the legislative page showing the Bill's current status.
Thanks for your note. Please let us know what you hear from Rep Ichiyama should you follow-up with her.
Quieter O'ahu
Aloha,
Are there any efforts to end the nuisance from backup beepers, especially from construction or agricultural vehicles?
It is ridiculous that these have to go off all day long indefinitely, on top of the usual noise & air pollution from heavy duty vehicles. Smarter technology exists that uses unidirectional/white noise to alert anyone behind the vehicle but not the entire neighborhood. In fact, the State required that the Rail project use this technology due to overnight work.
Since the "required" beepers stem from Federal guidelines regarding worker safety, I believe the best approach would be updating the State's Occupational Safety & Health regulations to make them more stringent than the federal government, requiring a worker spotter or unidirectional/white noise (but no longer the status quo beepers). Probably needs to start with State legislature or Mayor's office.
I live on Maui, but my understanding is that the State would be the place to change this, not the County.
Mahalo,
Wailuku, HI
Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
Yes, there is legislative activity on the topic of backup alarms. Current HB128, introduced by Representative Linda Ichiyama, has been referred to 3 committees for review. The main tenets of this legislation are:
-Prohibits the use of audible reverse warning systems on vehicles operating in residential zones, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-Requires operators of vehicles equipped with an audible reverse warning system to reverse the vehicle only when another person is available to direct the vehicle's reversing.
-Prohibits the use of motor vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more from operating in residential zones, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-Subjects violators to a fine of up to $1,000
The committees that HB128 was referred to after passing first reading are Health (HLT), Transportation (TRN), and Judiciary (JUD). Next step for the Bill would be reports from these committees, although hearings are not yet scheduled so this legislation could be stalled or dead. You might want to email Rep Ichiyama at repichiyama@Capitol.hawaii.gov and inquire about its status, and make any recommendations you may have on this Bill.
You can also monitor status of this and other noise-related legislation on our website at https://www.quieteroahu.com/current-legislative-activity.html . On our Legislative Activity page clicking on the Bill number in blue will link you to the legislative page showing the Bill's current status.
Thanks for your note. Please let us know what you hear from Rep Ichiyama should you follow-up with her.
Quieter O'ahu