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Question: Is the “move over” rule one lane or two?
Answer: Two is preferred, to leave an empty lane between your car and the stopped emergency vehicle, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-27, which is known as the “move over” law. Depending on the circumstances, one lane may be enough to create that safety buffer, such as when a police officer has a car pulled over on a wide shoulder. The point is to ensure that police officers, ambulance crews, tow truck drivers and others responding to roadside emergencies and incidents are not endangered by passing vehicles.
The law says any driver approaching an emergency vehicle that has its lights flashing must:
“(1) Slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe under the circumstances of an emergency road situation ahead. Reasonableness and prudence shall take into account weather conditions, road conditions, and vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the immediate area. If necessary, the driver shall come to a complete stop before making a lane change under paragraph (2); and
“(2) Make a lane change into the adjacent lane if necessary and if it is safe to do so, or if possible, to two lanes over, which leaves one lane between the driver and the emergency vehicle.”
As you can see, the first requirement is to slow down, and then exercise good judgment to create a safety buffer.
The deaths of two Honolulu police officers inspired this law, which took effect in 2012. Officer Eric Fontes was struck and killed on Sept. 13, 2011, while handling a routine traffic stop on Farrington Highway. On Jan. 21, 2012, Officer Garret Davis died after his vehicle was struck from behind as he was helping a stalled motorist on the H-1 freeway.
Q: Driving past the Capitol, I saw a banner about a job fair but couldn’t catch the details. Please advise.
A: The State of Hawaii Career Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on the fourth-floor lanai of the Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St., according to a notice from the state Department of Human Resources Development.
Representatives from 18 executive branch agencies will be on hand to screen candidates for jobs ranging from entry level to upper management. The following departments and branches are set to participate: Accounting and General Services; Agriculture; Attorney General; Budget and Finance; Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Defense; Hawaiian Home Lands; Health; Human Resources Development; Human Services; Labor and Industrial Relations; Land and Natural Resources; Public Library System; Public Safety; Taxation; Transportation and University of Hawaii (civil service positions only).
All job-seekers should bring multiple copies of their resumes. Recent college graduates also should bring copies of their diploma and academic transcripts. Arrive appropriately dressed and ready to be hired, as some interviews may be conducted on the spot.
For more information, see dhrd.hawaii.gov/statejobfair.
To answer another reader’s question: No, the Department of Education won’t be participating in this job fair. For information about DOE jobs, go to 808ne.ws/doeopp.
Auwe
On Saturday morning I, along with several hundred other volunteers, participated in the Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii beach cleanup at Magic Island and Ala Moana Park. After hours of hard work, I had never seen the beach and park looking so good. No trash! It was such a disappointment to see that by Sunday afternoon the trash was back. Auwe! Everyone who uses the park should cooperate and pick up after themselves. — Ruth Falter
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.
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