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Make It Easy

BY BETH TERRY

Thursday, August 2, 2001

Getting up to speed
on Hawaii’s traffic laws

I have decided to go the exact speed limit. I am practicing for the freeway cameras that will be installed in Hawaii in September.

It has been an interesting and liberating experience.

I have an insurance company that might cancel me if I get a ticket courtesy of these cameras. I don't like the coming system. We should be able to face our accusers.

How do they know who is driving?

Will they ticket at 4 miles over the limit? How far can the camera see?

Will they catch people, er, adjusting themselves in what used to be the privacy of their automobiles?

I've been good. I set my cruise control to the speed limit and off I go.

That is the liberating part. I arrive more relaxed. It is easier to change lanes and to avoid trouble.

I've learned a lot going the speed limit:

1. Hawaii has careless drivers who can't gauge the speed of the car in front of them. I am tailgated a lot. Don't these drivers realize they are piloting a 4,000-pound piece of metal that cannot stop on a dime? What if I hit something in the road? I think I will get the bumper sticker that reads, "Go ahead and tailgate. I need a new car."

2. The most aggressive drivers are women. This was a surprise, since I thought we were the more mellow gender. Not so. One gave me that "special" sign as she passed (in front of a camera) going 80 mph.

3. It took only three minutes longer -- yes three -- to go 26 miles from Makakilo to town. Hmmm. I kept seeing those tailgatin' lead-foots at the usual bottlenecks. One particularly aggressive testosterone truck started picking on me near Waipahu. Turns out we were going to the same place. We got to the light at Kalani High School together. This, even though he was tailgating everyone, weaving through lanes, and generally making a nuisance of himself.

4. My fuel gauge says I got 35 more miles to the tank than when I was, um, not on cruise control.

So, slow down. Reduce your stress. And smile. You'll soon be on traffic camera!

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Beth Terry is president of Pacific Rim Seminars.
This column is excerpted from her upcoming book,
101 Ways to Make Your Life Easier. Send questions
on management, customer service and other issues
to beth@bethterry.com.