Q: What’s with all the different colored headlights on vehicles on Kaua‘i lately? I thought the law required white or clear headlights. Blue, purple, pink; so many different colors lately, with blue being the most blinding for me. If it
Q: What’s with all the different colored headlights on vehicles on Kaua‘i lately? I thought the law required white or clear headlights. Blue, purple, pink; so many different colors lately, with blue being the most blinding for me.
If it isn’t legal, why don’t your officers ticket these people? They’re sure not hard to see. Also, regarding headlights, many are aimed too high. Sometimes I am completely blinded by these colored and mis-aimed headlights.
Making sure headlights are legal could prevent a lot of accidents and save lives. What is the law, and are your officers enforcing it?
• Mark
A: Our State Traffic Code (HRS 291-25) specifies restrictions on vehicle head lamps stating that they “shall display white lights of equal candle power.” The statute also explains that the head lamps “shall be securely mounted, not less than 22 inches nor more than 54 inches above the road surface.”
Lt. Scribner of our Traffic Safety Unit who researched your question also explained that some of the lights that appear not to be legal are in fact legal. Lights that are considered “super white” or “super blue” are within the specifications of the Department of Transportation because they are considered white by manufacturer standards.
When observed, we are taking enforcement action on lighting systems that are outside of the traffic code requirements. Vehicle safety inspection stations must also make sure, prior to issuing a valid safety check, that the vehicle is in compliance, not only with lighting systems, but also with other aspects that make for a safe vehicle; including tires protruding beyond the fenderwell and illegal tinted windows. We are currently in the process of identifying safety check stations that may be giving out safety checks to vehicles that do not pass safety standards because of their association with the customer.
Q: I read in the newspaper and watched the evening news on TV about drug testing for the teachers. What is your position on this controversial issue? Are your officers drug tested? Are you drug tested? Do you think that elected or appointed public officials should be drug tested? I think that everyone in government should be drug tested from the governor on down.
• Skeptic on Kaua‘i
A: I’ll try to answer succinctly without stepping on too many toes. Yes, I feel teachers should be drug tested because it is a function of their employment in keeping our children safe, and since it is a function of their employment, the employer should pay for the testing. Yes, our police officers are drug tested on an annual basis without prior warnings.
I might add that SHOPO (police union) has agreed with the employer to have drug testing policy and it is part of our collective bargaining agreement. Yes, I am drug tested using the same criteria. And, yes, I do believe that government employees should be tested from the governor on down.
Now, let me try to explain my answers. As public servants, whether elected, selected through the civil service process, or appointed, it is our fiduciary duty to assure the public that we are drug-free.
In my opinion — notwithstanding ACLU’s argument on Fourth Amendment rights on search and seizure, and invasion of privacy issues — drug testing is a health and safety matter, and we have an obligation to the public to let them know that their public servants are clean.
It makes no difference to me whether the person is teaching in a classroom, putting out fires, arresting or prosecuting offenders, or legislating law. The public has a right to feel safe and confident that their tax dollars are not going to someone who is breaking the law by consuming illegal drugs, and placing their loved ones at risk.
I strongly believe, as the old adage goes, that we as government employees are held to a higher standard, and that we must demonstrate that we care enough about our community to take these tests and allay the public’s fears. Moreover, I believe it is a privilege to serve our community and not a right; and that there should be no exceptions when it comes to drug testing.
Well sports fans it’s a new year and I want to thank everyone who supported the Kaua‘i Police Department, and even those who were critical of our efforts because it makes us try even harder so that we don’t become complacent.
I especially want to thank our employees for working so hard to keep our community safe.
From the onset I talked about open communication and transparency, and you have put me to task on this. As an example, in 2008, I received 10,149 electronic mails (email) and responded to 3,271. Please keep those questions coming in. On behalf of the Kaua‘i Police Department we would like to wish everyone a great 2009.
• Darryl Perry is chief of police at the Kaua‘i Police Department. Send your comments or questions to dperry@kauai.gov
