DRIVE TIME
Traffic scofflaws, uninsured motorists raise readers' ire
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Drivetime readers sound off once again:
Where's the enforcement?
Go anywhere, and you will see road hogs cruising down the passing lane when there is no one to pass; drivers turning right without once looking to the right to see if the way is clear; drivers running stop signs and red lights (thousands do every day at either end of Atkinson); and drivers fearlessly charging pedestrians in crosswalks. Why? Because there is no law enforcement.
Any law enforcement officer could go to just about any intersection and write enough citations during one shift to cover wages, benefits, materials, overhead, and keep the judicial system on track.
Until there is a very good reason for obeying the law, drivers will continue to ignore it.
Rico Leffanta
'Pay at pump' sorely needed
Why is our traffic a mess? Why is car insurance is so high? Simple: At least one of every five drivers is a freeloader.
In 2000, 20.9 percent of 922,658 registered cars did not have the proper safety check or insurance and should not have been on our public streets or freeways.
Be fair. Bring back and pass "pay at the pump" legislation. This will allow all gasoline stations to pay for a major part of our car insurance from the sale of the gasoline that everyone buys. This way everyone will pay for insurance when they buy gas for their car. Yes, the price of gasoline will increase, causing fewer people to drive, but our insurance will be less and I might not have to wait for three light changes just to cross Pi'ikoi Street when I'm on Young Street.
Alvin Wong
Pearl City
Ferry system not practical
Building a ferry system will not work. It's been tried and tried before with the same results. Remember those super-snazzy hydrofoil boats? Remember all of the previous ferry systems?
Why beat a dead horse?
Do we have a secret stash of hidden investment money? Whenever a business venture loses money but stays viable, it's evident that money laundering is what's happening. This ridiculous fascination with ferry systems reeks of that same stench.
Gary Suzukawa
Just park it
The best parking advice I can give is to park at the first stall you see. Unless you require disabled parking, there really isn't a reason to drive all the way to the front to get closer parking. It just causes more traffic and congestion within the lot when everyone wants to go to the same area. God gave most of us the gift of using our legs to walk; if we don't use these gifts he might just take them back.
Amor Del Rosario
• • •
Got a pet peeve about Hawai'i's traffic or a suggestion for making it better? Send your thoughts and ideas to Mike Leidemann, c/o Drivetime, Honolulu Advertiser, Box 3110, Honolulu HI 96802. Or send them by e-mail, mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
