Kokua Line
Kokua Line
OK. ONE MORE TIME -- the LAST in this column -- on the subject of who should drive in the far left lane of the freeway. This time, we'll give the "slower" drivers -- actually, the ones who say they go the speed limit -- a chance to put in their two cents. ‘Slower’ drivers
fire back in debate
over ‘fast’ laneIt's obvious from the responses that "other" drivers are a major source of frustration, irritation and unbelievable anger for many motorists. It also seems to bring out nastiness in many people, no matter which side of this driving debate they stand on.
What really is needed is just plain common sense, courtesy and control among all drivers.
The Nov. 20th column voiced the comments of some of the dozen people who immediately responded to a complaint from a driver about being tailgated on the H-1 freeway while driving 52 mph in the far left lane (Nov. 14th column). They all said he should not have been driving in that lane because it is the "fast" or "passing" lane.
Since then, we've received a couple more saying the same thing, including a thoughtful letter from a "concerned East Oahu motorist," who said she sees only one "Slower Traffic Keep Right" sign and none on the return route during her daily nine-mile commute between Hawaii Kai and downtown.
"I think perhaps we need more because everyday I see drivers in the left lane going less than the speed limit trying to stay out of the way of merging traffic. They are as frustrating as the speeders and indeed as dangerous," she said.
But in response to the Nov. 20 column, a half-dozen readers retorted to the critics: Slow down!
One reader wrote: "It is pathetic when you get a group of lawbreakers together and they make the legal citizen feel like the criminal and blame them for making driving dangerous. This is the local mentality that needs to be changed to make the streets safe again. The first thing is to show them their driving is illegal. ... "
Petra Lee e-mailed: "After all the lives lost islandwide due to speeding this year and HPD's 'crackdown' on speeders, now we're reading that it's OK to break the speed limit law as long as you're in the left lane on the H-1. Why even have set speed limits then? This is Hawaii, not Europe, not Canada or the mainland. HAWAII! I'd rather be a 'dumb, idiot driver' that causes a few other drivers stress than one who may cause someone to lose a loved one."
She also said her "whole office, both male and female," felt the dozen respondents were "totally wrong."
Alvin Noguchi, who says he's taught defensive driving for 10 years, also e-mailed, "First of all, the speed limit is just that, the speed limit," designated only for ideal road and weather conditions. If it's nightfall or rainy, or if the road is under construction, drivers should drive below the speed limit, he said.
"So if the driver (who complained about being tailgated) was driving at 52 mph, he or she would be correct in driving in the so-called 'fast lane,' which is a term that is very misleading, oftentimes leading to excess speed because of its implied consent. Hawaii does not have the world famous autobahn, but we do have something else that is world famous: It's called the aloha spirit."
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.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com