|
Kokua Line
June Watanabe
|
Safety sticker can be placed on metal plate
Question: I read your article regarding the placement of the motor vehicle safety sticker location (
"Kokua Line," May 4, 2000). Has that changed? I took my car to a safety check station and was told the metal plate that the current safety check is on wasn't legal and that it needed to be affixed to the bumper. Is there a number we can call to verify this? Having to place a sticker on a $50,000+ car's painted bumper and then scoring it with a razor, ruining the bumper, is uncalled for.
Answer: In that 2000 column, a city motor vehicle division official said that although the general practice is to place the stickers on the right rear bumper, there are some exceptions, including affixing the stickers to a "sheet-metal mounting plate" placed under the rear bumper.
The state Department of Transportation's rules have been updated -- see www.hawaii.gov/dot/highways/adminrules/ruleshwy.htm -- but they still allow for placement on a bracket under the right rear bumper.
The Transportation Department's rules say:
"After the certificate of inspection is signed, a two-part inspection sticker shall be affixed by the inspector upon the right, most nearly vertical portion of the rear bumper of the vehicle or on another appropriate place, such as, on the body immediately above the right portion of the rear bumper, or a special bracket installed horizontally under the right portion of the rear bumper where the sticker can be clearly viewed by a person who is fifty feet behind the vehicle. The rear window or license plate is not an appropriate place."
If you believe the inspector wrongly refused to place the sticker where you asked, you are advised to make a copy of the rules and show it to the inspector.
If the inspector still has questions, ask that he call John Lovstedt of the state Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Safety Office at 692-7655.
Q: On July 27, 2001, the Star-Bulletin had a story about the Furniture Doctor. On the strength of that, I asked if he could fix something for me. But he has not returned it, nor has he returned my calls. Can you please say something about what's happening with this business?
Q: The Furniture Doctor has left many customers without recourse. Although his phone numbers are active, Kirk Davis selectively returns phone calls while ignoring countless others for months. Efforts to locate him for the return of personal property continue. Can you help?
A: If you haven't already done so, you can file a complaint with the state Office of Consumer Protection. Call 587-3222.
The office also has received complaints about the business and has launched an investigation, said Stephen Levins, executive director of Consumer Protection.
We left a message for Davis at the number listed for the Furniture Doctor, which apparently is still active, but he did not return our call.
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