Driving basics for newbies on Kauai
I know a lot of new people are moving here from all over the world and I wonder, has anyone bothered to mention the rules of the road to our new drivers? Perhaps if we explain the rules of the road for a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean we won’t have quite the aggression and accidents that we have now.
No u-turns across a double yellow line.
No passing on a double yellow line.
No driving into oncoming traffic around the flex stakes to get to the side street.
No running yellow and red lights. We actually stop at yellow, so don’t slam into us.
No going out the entrance or coming in the exit.
No going down the wrong way in traffic because it’s shorter.
No turning left when not supposed to, into oncoming traffic, because you don’t want to drive 30 seconds down the road and turn around.
Five miles over the speed limit is tops (but don’t quote me). Not double the speed limit.
No tailgating, take notice when the driver in front of you throws up their arms like “what the ?>>??” its one car length for every 10miles an hour, not one car length period.
It’s one car length distance when you are stopped at a light, so that when the speeder behind you crashes into you, you don’t crash into the car in front of you. Get it.
Coming out of Burger King when the light is red and you can ease out is OK, but stop trying to come out when the light is green and you are running the stop sign, you mess up the traffic flow.
Getting in the turning lane to get ahead of traffic and then cutting over to get ahead of the cars going straight is not allowed either. Surprise.
And the best one, no cell phones and texting is allowed while driving.
And some community members are also considering pushing for cell phone jammers for all vehicles that have had tickets or accidents due to texting or on cell phone. But guess what — residents are also pushing for the police to start seriously enforcing these laws that are causing so much anger and aggression and not to mention accidents daily.
Perhaps if everyone learns the rules here we may have a nicer, happier community.
Debi Dill
Kapaa
Dilly Dilly
Good ones..
One other one….if I may
On a Highway, per say, passing Human Society and entering Lihue, at the Kipu junction, do not stop on the Highway to let 1 car in, especially when I am behind you, and I have a car behind me..
Lucky think I hit my brakes, noticing the vehicle behind me will be slamming into me I pull into the double yellow middle Kipu and almost head on if that vehicle would of pulled into the traffic, I skidded to your vehicles view, just behind you to see your face..you didn’t look into my eyes…and then as I thought….the car behind me almost slammed into you..If I was there..they would of slammed into me, then me into you…as you let 1 car in at Kipu when if you would of just drove, they would of gotten in 15 seconds later…
Do not Aloha drive and let people in on Highways when we are driving 45MPH..think about it
Good advice Debi. You forgot one of the most important things. Use your turn signal far ahead of your turning.
DD… in my opinion, I think Kauai in general has its own laws on driving! This letter sounds more like a Kauaian driving everyday on Kauai nei! Aggressive drivers, arm hanging out the drivers door with cap on backwards, phone in hand, stink look on face…lol. That’s everyday! Make sure you wave when they let in traffic, they’ll be pissed. Aloha Kauai
Obeying State Traffic Laws? Rules of the Road? We’re in Hillbilly Heaven here on Kauai! Ainokea I do what I Like! Welcome to the Ghetto!
Debi, none of your “rants” are anything new….for locals or visitors alike.
BTW, “yellow” just means the light is turning “red”. No rule to stop or not. Good luck with that one.
“One car length while stopped”…..never, ever, heard that one. I guess the traffic in LA and Washington DC would extend to the next state.
How about some stuff for locals:
1. When making a turn, you are not driving an 18-wheeler. No need to “go wide” before turning.
2. I don’t care if you can “see fine” prior to sunrise or after sunset. TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON! I can’t see you.
3. For the love of God….and I don’t care if it is not a state law….turn your lights on when it is raining.
4. You don’t know what traffic really is. Go live in a major metropolitan city, come back here, and you will love your perceived “traffic problems”. Visitors are not the one’s getting “road rage” for traffic.
5. For the 70% that own pick-up trucks on the island….could you park at the furthest point in the parking lot if you intend to take TWO parking spots with your monster trucks? Only Costco has large, up-to-date parking for just about any car or truck.
Stopping at (early) yellow lights is unnecessary and annoying Debbie, and also helps to disrupt traffic flow.
Dear Ms. Dill, you missed an obvious no-brainer, and one which disturbs plenty of drivers: When driving on a long highway stretch (such as going north from Kealia) at any speed below the speed limit, look up occasionally into your rear-view mirror. If you are holding up 2 or more drivers who obviously wish to travel at the speed limit (over 5 miles over :)) for more than a few minutes, pull over when safe to do so and allow the others to pass. That is simply common courtesy, an antidote to road rage, and lowering the chance of a dangerous passing situation.
Oh and I forgot another one…ALWAYS signal your intention when approaching a roundabout. Right signal if you intend to turn right at the 1/4 mark, no signal if you intend to go straight (1/2 way round), and left turn if you intend to go 3/4 the round round and go left (BUT turn your signal off once you’ve gone 1/2 way round). That keeps traffic moving and lessens the chance of an accident.
I totally agree with you! This drives (lol) me nuts!! Don’t people care what is going on BEHIND them??
After seeing cars turning left over solid double lines for a decade into and out of MCDonalds, even while police cars watched, I figured we just didn’t care that much about enforcement here. After calling a cop I learned that it is actually legal. Nonetheless l think it’s unfair to the drivers behind those waiting to cross double yellow into these businesses – esoecally during commute times.