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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Law restricts riding in the back of pickups
Question: Isn't there a law that prohibits young people from riding in the back of pickup trucks? I've been noticing more pickup trucks with children younger than 15 riding in the bed. Do we need another tragedy before the police enforce this law?
Answer: State law (Section 291-14(c) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes) restricts children 12 and under from riding in the bed of pickup trucks unless in an emergency or if the vehicle is participating in an officially authorized parade/caravan.
The law also says no person, regardless of age, should stand in the bed of the pickup while the vehicle is in motion, and no one should drive a pickup with any passenger seated in the bed unless there is no seating available in the cab of the vehicle; the side racks of the vehicle are securely attached and the tailgate is securely closed; and every passenger in the bed is seated on the floor and not attempting to control unlashed cargo.
However, the restrictions don't apply to people or businesses who serve the public.
According to the state Judiciary's Traffic Violations Bureau, 367 people statewide have been cited for carrying underage passengers since the law was passed in 1997:
» 1998 - Oahu, 37; Maui, 11; Big Island, seven. Total: 55
» 1999 - Oahu, 27; Maui, three; Big Island, seven; Kauai, three. Total: 40
» 2000 - Oahu, 33; Maui, 11; Big Island, nine. Total: 53
» 2001 - Oahu, 31; Maui, seven; Big Island, eight. Total: 46
» 2002 - Oahu, 28; Maui, eight; Big Island, five. Total: 41
» 2003 - Oahu, 24; Maui, five; Big Island, six. Total: 35
» 2004 - Oahu, 26; Maui, two; Big Island, four. Total: 32
» 2005 - Oahu, 14; Big Island, five. Total: 19
» 2006 - Oahu, seven; Maui, five; Big Island, five; Kauai, one. Total: 18
» 2007 - Oahu, eight; Maui, two; Big Island, four. Total: 14
» 2008 to date: Oahu, five; Maui, five; Big Island, three; Kauai, one. Total: 14.
AUWE
I am disabled and have a difficult time walking. It is very irritating that more people are parking in the access aisle next to the disabled parking stall, or park over the line into the disabled space, forcing people like me to park in the access space to get out of the car. At Koko Marina Shopping Center, I have seen commercial vans and delivery trucks park in the access aisle. My car has been smashed by a delivery vehicle that was illegally parked in the access space. - Anonymous
Honolulu Police Department Lt. Gerrit Kurihara said one person was cited for parking in the access aisle at Koko Marina, following your complaint. He personally went to the shopping center and spoke to security officials, asking them "to be aware" of people taking advantage of the disabled parking stalls and access aisle.
Some violators "just don't think" about what they're doing and might not understand the consequences until they find themselves in need of using a disabled parking stall, Kurihara said.
He also noted that violators face hefty fines: $250 to $500.
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.
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