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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Left-hand turns OK over double-yellow
Question: Is it legal for a vehicle to make a turn over a double-yellow line? This is done constantly on Hamakua Road and Kailua Road in Kailua and, with ever-increasing traffic, causes major traffic problems.
Answer: Yes, it is legal. We explained what all the different lane markings signify in our Jan. 18, 2004, column, because many motorists apparently are confused about the markings or just don't care.
As explained in Section 291C-38 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes:
» Double solid yellow lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. Crossing a double solid yellow line is prohibited, EXCEPT when making a left turn.
» Broken yellow lines next to solid yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, with traffic adjacent to the broken line permitted to overtake or pass, if it can be done safely and does not interfere with traffic moving in the opposite direction. Crossing the double line by traffic adjacent to the solid line is prohibited except when making a left turn.
DANGEROUS DOGS
Regarding your
July 22 Kokua Line on dangerous dogs: People should know that if someone has been charged by a loose, dangerous dog, they need to specify it is an aggressive dog. Otherwise, if you weren't bitten, the police and Hawaiian Humane Society won't do too much. I called the Humane Society about a dog that had been chasing other people. Although numerous incidents had occurred with that dog, no reports initially were made because the dog hadn't bitten anyone. But it had chased a boy over a fence and the boy broke his arm. There needs to be a prior charge against the dog in order for the owner to be ticketed. -- Ann
We asked the Hawaiian Humane Society what the procedure is when someone calls about a loose, dangerous dog.
According to Bryan Windisch, the organization's field services manager, a computerized case file documenting all the information is automatically filed whenever a call is received.
From that call, the dispatcher will determine whether there should be an immediate response, or whether it can be assigned to a humane society investigator for a follow-up, he said.
"When responding to a call about a nonimmediate-response animal bite, our investigator would determine the severity and may issue a court citation or a warning," Windisch said.
If the dog owner is issued a court citation, it would then be up to a judge to deem the dog dangerous, he said.
The society asks the public for a two-week waiting period on all first-time complaints for a stray dog or a barking complaint.
"This will allow us time to send out a notification letter and educate the animal owner on the laws and fines, if found in violation," Windisch said.
After the waiting period, the public should call the Humane Society again if the problem persists.
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