Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I see a lot of trucks and cars with smoked covers on their tail lights. Isn't this illegal? Why are stores allowed to sell them? It makes it really difficult to see brake and indicator lights during the day. If the police are looking for additional money, they should ticket/fine those drivers. Sale, use of smoked
tail light covers illegalAnswer: According to the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, reflectors and lamps on motor vehicles are required to be visible from a distance of 300 feet, said Gary Tashima, a supervising motor vehicle inspector for the city. Using a cover "hampers the reflectivity of these lens" and thus would be illegal.
As for stores selling them, Tashima noted that many of these items are labeled "not for public roadway; for off-road use only." Although some products may say they've been approved by the Department of Transportation, he advises checking with local and state laws in whatever jurisdiction you're in before buying or using such items.
Meanwhile, Capt. Bryan Wauke of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division points to the section of the Revised Ordinances that says, "No person shall have for sale or offer for sale for use on a vehicle any headlamp or reflector which tends to change the original design or performance, unless such lamp or reflector is submitted and approved by the chief of police."
Tashima said the law also specifies that the "marker" (clearance) lights are supposed to be amber in front and red in the rear; the stop (brake) light has to be "predominantly red" in color, while the signal lights may be amber or red. He noted that some people have replaced their reverse lights with blue lights, which is illegal. The reverse lights are supposed to be white.
Safety checks would be one way to detect the use of the covers. If a safety inspection station had a question about something like this, "they normally would call our office, and we would let them know if it is legal or illegal," Tashima said. The problem, however, is that it is easy to go in for a safety check with a regular light, get the safety sticker, then go home and change it, he said.
As for HPD, an officer can cite the owner of a vehicle if they observe an infraction on a public street, but not if it is parked on private property. Otherwise, if someone reports such a vehicle, HPD can send a warning letter to the registered owner, Wauke said. As for police getting more money, he points out that all revenue from traffic fines go into the state general fund; it does not go to the police or any county agency.
Q: Is it legal for an 18-wheel truck to park on a residential street on Oahu? A man in my neighborhood parks his truck in front of his house, which is near a curve. Along with it being unsightly, it is impossible to see cars or pedestrians when negotiating the curve. It also reduces the traffic on that area of the street to one-way. I called HPD and was told "he has to make a living." I do not want to interfere with his livelihood, but his truck is an unattractive nuisance, and if it is illegally parked, I would appreciate your advice with respect to resolving this matter.
A: According to the city ordinance, any commercial vehicle that has a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds cannot park on a public street for more than four hours at a time (with the exception of public utility or construction equipment vehicles actively engaged in work).
If you suspect a violation, call 911, said HPD Capt. Bryan Wauke. If the person answering your call says the guy "has to make a living," ask to speak to a supervisor, he said.
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