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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Solid white lines should not be crossed
Question: This is in regard to your
April 13 column about the double right turn from Queen Emma Street onto Vineyard Boulevard. The column indicates that it is illegal to cross a solid white line, yet in the Hawaii Driver's Manual, it says that solid white lines can be crossed with caution -- the wider the line, the more caution to be exercised. If this is not the case, can you find out what the difference is between single solid white lines and double solid white lines? Can you please clarify this?
Answer: You should not be crossing solid or double solid white lines as a normal practice.
State Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa, responding in the April 13 column to a concern about drivers not being able to see a faded solid white line at that double right turn intersection, said: "Unfortunately, even when the white, solid line was more visible, the drivers would illegally cross the line anyway to get into the far left turning lane."
He checked with the traffic branch to get a clarification as to what solid lines represent and was told that the state is required to follow the federal "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."
State law mirrors the federal manual regarding solid white lines and the intent of both laws is to allow crossing solid lines only under "unusual" circumstances, he said.
"These unusual circumstances are basically for 'emergencies,' such as disabled vehicles, lane closures due to accidents, construction work, emergency vehicles, etc.," Ishikawa said. "For safety purposes, it was not intended to allow crossing under normal driving circumstances."
Regarding a solid white line, the state Traffic Code says it "indicates the edge of the traffic lane where travel in the same direction is permitted on both sides of the line but where movement from lane to lane is considered to be hazardous. A solid white line may be crossed only in unusual circumstances and then only with great care."
Meanwhile, "a double width solid white line is used to emphasize a greater degree of hazard."
In general, the Traffic Code says solid lines "are restrictive in character," while broken lines "are permissive in character."
Double lines "indicate maximum restriction."
More shipping news
A Kokua Line reader says people can also call the state Department of Transportation at 537-9260 for recorded information on ship arrivals and departures, in addition to checking its Web site (
Kokua Line, May 2). That number provides information only for the current day and the day after.
Auwe
To that disrespectful and inconsiderate couple for allowing their spoiled daughter to scream and yell nonstop during their shopping time inside and outside the Kaneohe Safeway around 1 p.m. April 30 without saying a word. Are you deaf? Next time leave her at home. -- No Name
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers