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Driving too slow
not only irritates
others but is illegal

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Question: My son recently took his driver's license driving exam at Kapolei, where he was marked off for going 20 mph in a crowded 25 mph residential zone (although in his driver's education class it was recommended that they do so for safety reasons). An adult friend also told me that years ago her driving instructor told her it was against the law to drive under the speed limit when only one speed (not a minimum and a maximum) is posted. If this is true, then why aren't any motorists ticketed for driving under the speed limit, sometimes to the point that they are traffic hazards? In these times where heavy traffic and congested roads are daily unavoidable problems, the "slow drivers" do create frustrating and dangerous situations as well.

Answer: It's obvious that "slow" -- or perceived "slow" -- drivers rile people almost as much as the speeders.

Some people may not realize it is as much against the law to drive too slow as it is to exceed the speed limit, although not many drivers are ticketed for going too slow.

In 2003, only six people were cited for not obeying minimum speed limits, according to Honolulu Police Department records.

You can draw your own conclusions from that; HPD had no comment regarding the number.

Police Sgt. Clyde Yamashiro, of the Traffic Division, pointed out three laws that address persons driving under the posted speed limit and/or impeding traffic: Sections 291C-102(A) and (B) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes ("Noncompliance with speed limit prohibited") and Section 15-7.4 of the Revised Ordinances of Hono-lulu, which sets minimum speed limits.

Part A of the state law says no one shall drive at speeds greater than the maximum speed limit and less than the minimum speed limit on city and county roads, "as established by county ordinances," while Part B says no one shall drive above the maximum posted speed limit or below the minimum posted speed limit on state roads.

The Honolulu ordinance states three specific regulations about driving too slowly:

In 2003, there were two citations for violations of HRS 291C-102(A), four citations for HRS 291C-102(B), and none for ROH 15-7.4, according to Arakawa.

After Arakawa explained the applicable laws, we asked driver education instructor Glenn Oide, owner of Accurate Driving, about driving too slow.

First, Oide said, people should follow the "basic speed law," in which "you need to always drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions," no matter what the speed limit may be.

But, whatever the posted speed limit is, "you can drive 5 mph below that posted limit and not be in violation."

If you go below that, Oide said, you'd be in violation if there is traffic behind you and you are impeding traffic.

"Impeding traffic" are the key words.

"If no one is behind you, you can go as slow as you want -- except for roadways that have a minimum speed posted," he said. In that case, "you cannot go below that minimum speed" -- i.e., 45 mph on state freeways -- unless conditions or circumstances are such that you cannot drive that minimum speed.

Asked if slow drivers are a problem, Oide said, "People speeding is the major problem. As far as I know, I can't recall any fatal crashes caused by a slow driver.

"I know that people become irritated by slow drivers, but as long as everyone is going the speed limit, there is very little risk."

Oide pointed out that, in Honolulu, if you drive at an average speed of 55 mph on a freeway, and were traveling 10 miles, someone speeding at 75 mph would get there only three minutes ahead of you.

"Yet, they're risking everyone's safety along the way."

Mahalo

There are good Samaritans in Honolulu! It was a drizzling morning, Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Open Market in Waikiki. I'd finished my produce shopping and journeyed back to my car. The road was clear of traffic in both directions. I stepped away from the macadamized sidewalk to cross the road. Instead, I began to fall forward, landing on my nose, forehead, right shoulder and knee. My glasses broke. Soon, some ladies came to help -- they diverted traffic; used various items to stem the flow of blood; got my name and description of friends still shopping to find and let them know I'd fallen. One young lady, Samantha, was very attentive. I'm grateful to each one for their care in aiding a fallen grandma. God bless you.

-- Elaine Jackson

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