By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

Q. Why can't you park in front of your own driveway? Police gave me a ticket and I wonder why. If someone else parked in front, then I can understand that, but your own driveway?

A. Turns out it really is illegal to block a driveway, even your own driveway, according to police. Honolulu Police Lt. Alan Anami said the traffic code simply states that you cannot park within four feet of a driveway.

"The law doesn't make any exemption for parking in your own driveway," Anami said.

He said blocking a driveway could prevent an emergency vehicle from reaching someone in trouble. But the reality is that police rarely randomly cite a car for parking in a driveway unless someone calls to complain.

Anami said officers cruising through neighborhoods are far more likely to look for potential safety hazards: cars parking on the corner and blocking views, trucks sticking out into traffic, cars blocking fire hydrants. He said police usually are called to tag for chronic problems or when parking for a big party or event spills over into driveways. "It's not a real big priority with us," he said.

Another reader wrote in with the flip side of the same problem:

Q. I live in an area where parking is a big problem. Someone is always parking in my driveway. It makes it difficult to get out since I live on a narrow street. Calling the police does not help because there is always another car in my driveway the next day. The police do ticket the car and sometimes tow it but it is not the solution. Is there anyway I can get the city to put up a sign? Any suggestions as to how I can stop the illegal parking in my driveway?

A. Honolulu police say they will continue to patrol your area and ticket cars that they find parked illegally near your home.

But the sign isn't so simple. Cheryl Soon, City Transportation Services director, said it is possible in some cases to have the city install a new sign if there are extenuating circumstances. In fact, when city workers recently checked your street, they found an illegal "Tow-Away Zone End" sign posted on the light pole between the driveways and plan to have that sign removed, so that may help.

Do you ever get frustrated or confused trying to navigate the various layers of government? Are you looking for an answer to a simple question but can't figure out where to start? If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways:

• e-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

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