Traffic lights need to be adjusted

Having lived and driven in different states on the mainland, I've come to notice that many of the traffic signals on Oahu (especially downtown) are not adjusted properly.

While traveling at the posted speed limit and approaching an intersection, it's common for a traffic signal change from yellow to red in only three seconds.

This leaves motorists faced with making a decision either to slam on the brakes and hope another motorist doesn't rear-end them, or accelerate while trying to beat a three-second signal.

It would be much safer if traffic signals changed from yellow to red slower, allowing a motorist enough time to make and execute a safe decision before passing through an intersection.

Doing nothing about this problem decreases safety at intersections while providing the owners of the new snapshot traffic cameras a bonanza. And why not synchronize signals to ease traffic congestion?

C. Pluta

[Quotables] "Those good ol' days are back. Everybody, get your gas cans out." Cyndi Burrough Customer buying gas for 99 cents per gallon at an Arco station in San Fernando Valley, Calif. The national average retail price of gasoline Friday was $1.15, a two-year low. Hawaii drivers pay an average of $1.70 per gallon. "I'm looking out on the lanai and all of a sudden I see this plane coming in over the trees down there." Laurence Jacobs Waialae Iki resident, describing what he saw moments before a Cessna 150 crashed into the residential area while the pilot apparently was trying to make an emergency landing. The pilot and his passenger were taken to Queen's Medical Center, where they were treated and released. Nobody on the ground was injured.

Mounted police leave messy calling cards

I saw something new today in Kapolei -- "mounted" policemen (on horses, that is). I thought it was an excellent idea until I got in my car and started to leave the Safeway parking lot. I almost ran over something ... something some older local folks refer to as "glass," or animal poop. This in no way came from a chihuahua. Being that the horses had just passed by a minute earlier, I suspect it was theirs.

Had I run over it, it would have done wonders for my tires. I don't think "running over glass" would be covered by my car's warranty.

I'd like to know who the "pooper picker upper" is supposed to be. Is it the policemen riding the horses? If so, they would have to carry some pretty big bags, something around the size of a large freezer storage bag, at least.

Please, whoever is responsible, pick up the glass before somebody steps on it and gets hurt.

Thomas Haae
Kapolei

Tawdry tales of two officials

Become an officer in the police force, drink like a fish, run a red light and cause an accident in which someone is killed, forget the DUI test, sue the grieving family for damage to your car, deny everything, ask for the state's help for legal defense, leave town, delay the trial, no remorse.

Get elected to the City Council, coerce aides for kickbacks, disregard the loyalty of voters, scam the system, deny everything, lie on the witness stand, marry your sweetheart for full benefits prior to sentencing, get a light sentence of four years and get out in one after good behavior in a country club jail. Gee, I think I'll run for re-election.

John L. Werrill

Praise, auwes
for warriors, ESPN

Exhibitionism showed lack of sportsmanship

While it is difficult to win a football game, it is even more difficult to win a game with class. The excessive-celebration penalties at the Hawaii-BYU game reveal an attitude that needs reviewing.

Two underlying messages of this attitude are: An individual's exhibitionist desires are more important than the overall team's good and are disrespectful to the opponents.

The Warriors are tremendous role models for so many youngsters, and these talented athletes certainly influence our young people about the merits of good sportsmanship or the lack thereof.

The above being said, congratulations are due to Warriors for a magical football season.

What a roller-coaster ride!

Russell Stephen Pang

National TV missed finality of victory

Boo to ESPN2 for cutting away from almost the entire fourth quarter of the University of Hawaii-Brigham Young football game. ESPN's own announcers repeatedly said it was the most exciting college game of the year.

Add the fact that unranked UH was slaughtering No. 8 BYU, and there was simply no excuse for ESPN2 to cut away to a meaningless basketball game.

Hopefully UH will seek financial compensation from ESPN, or at the very least get a make-good commitment for ESPN to telecast a UH game next season. Our team -- and our state -- deserve it.

Rick Ermshar

Boos and hisses to ESPN's coverage

I know there are priorities unknown to the fans and general public with regard to the broadcasting of sporting events everywhere.

However, I would bet my Staffordshire bull terrier's firstborn that if Saturday's University of Hawaii football game had involved Notre Dame or Kansas State or Nebraska, ESPN would not have cut to basketball when UH was making its fans most proud.

It was another example of getting slapped like a stepchild.

Kent Ross

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