Left turn on red light limited to and from 1-way streets

Question: Please clarify a motorist’s right to make a left turn onto a one-way street at a red light, where there are no signs prohibiting a left turn on red, and traffic is clear. I was stopped by an officer for making an illegal turn. I stated my case, but he said I was wrong because I was on a two-way street when I made the turn. Was he correct?

Answer: Yes, the police officer was correct; you made an illegal turn. It’s legal to make a left turn on red only from a one-way street to a one-way street. Motorists aren’t allowed to cross an oncoming traffic lane on a red light, as you did, even if the roadway is clear.

Here’s the Honolulu Police Department’s summation of the applicable statute:

“Unless there is a sign posted prohibiting it, the driver of a vehicle on a one-way street which intersects another one-way street on which traffic moves to the left, can turn left while the light is red. The driver must first come to a complete stop at the stop line prior to the intersection when the light is red. If there is no stop line, the driver must come to a complete stop prior to entering the intersection. Before turning left, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.”

You can also read the law itself. See Hawaii Revised Statutes Sec. 291C-32(3)C at 808ne.ws/hrs291c.

Q: Will Hawaii’s attorney general be filing suit against Equifax on behalf of Hawaii consumers who were hacked, or be joining the lawsuits of other states that are suing the credit-reporting bureau?

A: Hawaii has an investigation underway, being conducted by the Office of Consumer Protection, in concert with other states.

Unlike many other states, the Attorney General’s office is not the primary agency for consumer-protection litigation in Hawaii.

“The state of Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection can state that we are conducting an investigation and are participating in a multistate law enforcement effort. As such, we are unable to comment on the specifics of the investigation or on the potential outcome/penalties of this process at this time,” said William Nhieu, a spokesman for the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. OCP is a division of the DCCA.

OCP opened its investigation Sept. 8, the day after Equifax disclosed a huge data breach that compromised sensitive information about 143 million U.S. consumers. The exposure of consumers’ names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and other information leaves them vulnerable to identity theft.

“Equifax’s negligence has created unnecessary risks for Hawaii consumers,” Stephen Levins, OCP executive director, said in announcing the investigation that day.

Numerous lawsuits already have been filed. Massachusetts was the first state to sue Equifax, and San Francisco the first city, according to news reports.

Q: What is fallout exactly?

A: It’s the radioactive material that falls back to earth after a nuclear detonation, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. This debris may include soil, pieces of destroyed buildings and any other material that is propelled far into the sky by a nuclear blast. The debris settles back to earth within hours and contains residual radiation that threatens the health of humans and animals.

Mahalo

Mahalo to my friend Christine K. and others, who on Oct. 9, outside the Kapolei Cheesecake Factory, came to my aid when I passed out. My eyes were giving me trouble and it was very hot and bright, even though we were standing in the shade. They helped me to stand and guided me inside the air-conditioned restaurant. I am fine. My gratitude to all! — Grace K., Makiki

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.