Drive Time
Readers weigh in on hot traffic issues

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

With more than 100 e-mails from readers on my emergency vehicle and red light camera stories last week, I thought I'd use my column space on some of the responses we got.

Most of those commenting on the emergency vehicle story agreed that drivers don't do enough to pull over when a fire truck or ambulance comes by.

"Everywhere else in America, drivers are taught to pull to the right and stop," said reader Ken Tyrrell of St. Louis Heights. "Likewise, emergency vehicles are to pull into the furthest left-hand portion of the now open roadway and proceed to their destination."

One Kailua police officer complained that most drivers pull over to the side, but keep moving.

"Some freeze and stop suddenly in the middle of the lane," he said. "The worst has to be those who just won't pull over. I stopped one woman who said that she thought that I would 'just go around her.' "

But another reader brought up a good point that on some roadways, there is simply no place to pull over. One person suggested that the sirens be louder or a system developed to tap into a car radio warning of oncoming vehicles.

"You just cannot expect people to move if they don't know you're coming," he said. "I feel it is unfair to say that people are inattentive."

Now I wasn't implying that all drivers are inconsiderate and don't get out of the way. But as our city roads get more congested, it does seem more routine for emergency vehicles to pass by. We, as drivers, shouldn't treat it as a routine thing.

As for the state's plan to install cameras to catch and ticket those who run red lights, opinion was also mixed. Many supported the concept, but others questioned the technology to be used. The cameras could be ready by late fall.

Driver Mitchell Pinkerton supports the red light cameras, but is worried about the "big brother" aspect of it. He is also concerned about yellow light periods possibly being shortened.

(We did an "unofficial" timing at the 10 intersections where cameras will be installed. During non-rush hour periods, the yellows lasted between 3.75 seconds and 4 seconds.)

Reader Joe Arceneaux believes the cameras are just money-making tools.

"While the numbers of tickets go up, the real beneficiary of them is the city and county — more tickets, more $$$," he wrote.

Perhaps the most-asked question is what happens when the driver is stuck in the middle of an intersection waiting to turn left when the light turns yellow, then red.

"If an oncoming car enters the intersection at the last moment of the yellow light, it'll leave me in the red as I finish my left turn," reader Bruce Wong noted.

State transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said the vehicle has to enter the intersection when the light is already red to trigger the underground road sensors.

So, if you're already waiting in the intersection to make a left turn, you're in the clear.

You can e-mail Scott Ishi-kawa at sishikawa@honolulu advertiser.com