Pulling over HOV
scofflaws slows traffic

Question: Are the car-pool lanes supposed to be in effect early in the morning and in the afternoon? I travel to work from the Leeward side and obey all the rules. But every morning, between 6 and 6:30 a.m., I can count maybe only one out of every five cars in the car-pool lane that has more than two people in the car.

Answer: The HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes are in effect between 5:30 and 8 a.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays on the H-1 freeway, between the Waiawa and Keehi interchanges; on Moanalua Freeway from Halawa to Puuloa Road; on Kalanianaole Highway from West Halemaumau Street to the H-1; and on the H-2 freeway from the Mililani interchange to the Waiawa interchange.

They are meant to be used by vehicles carrying at least two people (including the driver), such as buses, car pools and van pools, and by motorcycles, even though it may carry only one person.

The Nimitz Highway contraflow lane is considered an HOV lane, as well, and is in effect between 5:30 and 8:30 a.m., between the Airport Viaduct and Pacific Street.

We passed your complaint onto the Honolulu Police Department.

However, in the past, both HPD and state transportation officials said enforcing the minimum-occupancy law in HOV lanes in many areas is a problem because there is no room to pull drivers over without causing traffic to back up, as well as posing safety concerns.

There was a plan for police to set up a photo enforcement system, involving mailed citations, but that was scratched after the Legislature repealed the controversial "van cam" law two years ago.

Q: Who exactly qualifies as a "passenger" for the HOV lanes? Do kids? Babies? Is there an age limit? I have never heard of a clear explanation as to who qualifies.

A: There is no age specified for passengers.

To drive in an HOV lane, there must be at least two "occupants." To drive in the Zipper Lane, which is set up as a Honolulu-bound contraflow lane in the mornings (between Managers Drive Overpass and the Pearl Harbor Interchange), there must be three occupants between 5:30 and 7 a.m. and two or more from 7 to 8 a.m.

Q: I am an experienced firefighter and have actively been trying to find out when the Honolulu Fire Department is testing next. I have only received very vague answers. The last time they tested was in April 2002, so another test should be coming up. Maybe you could help me get a more precise answer?

A: The next exam is expected to take place next year, although there's still no definite date, said HFD spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.

The exams are conducted by the city Department of Human Resources about every two or three years, but it depends on the need for more firefighters.

A human resources official said the department was waiting for fire officials to let it know when to schedule the exam.

Tejada said a notice about when the next exam is scheduled is expected to be posted after the first quarter of 2005. You can keep track of this by calling 523-4301 or checking the Human Resources' Web page at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/hr.

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