Question: I recently was on the H-3 Freeway, Kaneohe-bound, at 4:49 p.m., and in the right lane a huge truck was going 35 mph in a 60 mph zone. Aren’t large trucks weighing more than a ton prohibited from using the Pali, Likelike and other major highways/freeways during heavy traffic hours? This truck caused traffic to slow down, with cars dangerously cutting into the left lane to bypass it. Also, what happened to those random weighing stations to weigh trucks that use our freeways? I used to see them along the H-1.
Answer: Regular tractor-trailers that exceed 40 tons (80,000 pounds) in Gross
Vehicle Weight have a time restriction, said Caroline Sluyter, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation.
If they do exceed 40 tons, tractor-trailers with a width of less than 12 feet are allowed on roads (state or county) only between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Those wider than 12 feet are restricted to travel between 11:30 p.m. and 4 a.m., she said.
If they do not exceed 40 tons, they are not restricted to certain travel times.
Meanwhile, large, heavy vehicles — such as commercial trucks or buses — may move slowly up prolonged grades and are directed by signs to use the right lane. They are not prohibited from traveling during peak traffic times.
"When approaching slower vehicles, motorists are asked to drive with caution, use their blinkers and to make lane changes safely," Sluyter said. "Slower traffic can be caused by any vehicle type and occur at any time for a myriad of reasons."
The DOT’s Highways Division still deploys portable weight and inspection stations for commercial trucks on random days of the week.
They are set up at unannounced times and locations.
However, they no longer are set up on freeways because of increased traffic volumes, Sluyter said.
Question: Is it illegal for everyone, including bus and Handi-Van drivers, to use cellphones or earbuds for iPods and cellphones while operating motor vehicles? Several authoritative figures have said it is illegal, yet others say nay.
Answer: The city’s ordinance on "mobile electronic devices" prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, said Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department.
The law states that "no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a
mobile electronic device," except when making an emergency 911 call, or if they are specific emergency responders.
"Use" or "using"means holding the device while driving. So, for example, you may use an earpiece or any hands-free device, such as "Bluetooth" headsets.
However, city bus operators are prohibited from using any cellphone while driving, either holding them or using hands-free devices. (See is.gd/CR3kVn). The same holds for the city’s Handi-Van drivers.
Under the city Department of Transportation Services’ and Oahu Transit Services’ policies, company authorized devices, such as two-way radios, should be used while a vehicle is stopped, whenever possible. Company-provided mobile phones may be carried and turned on in vehicles without an operating two-way radio. Personal mobile phones may only be used to contact dispatch if the radio is defective or in emergencies, however, the vehicle must be stopped before using a personal phone.
Section 15-24.23 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu covers mobile electronic devices and can be found online at www1.honolulu.gov/council/ocs/roh.
Auwe
To the selfish person(s) who stole a Catfriends’ laptop computer from Kapolei Petco on Sunday, Jan. 26, during our adoption event. We are all volunteers and you cost one of us a lot of grief and money. Due to the security it is useless to you. Please return it, no questions asked, to the Kapolei Petco and you are forgiven. Otherwise, be sure you will get what you deserve in due time! — Concerned Citizen
For more information about the nonprofit Catfriends organization, go to www.hicatfriends.org.
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