Q: A person was recently killed on Kuamo‘o Road. I heard that the truck crossed the solid line and crashed head-on into another car carrying six people. So far this year, how many have died on our roadway, and what
Q: A person was recently killed on Kuamo‘o Road. I heard that the truck crossed the solid line and crashed head-on into another car carrying six people. So far this year, how many have died on our roadway, and what are you doing about it?
• Albert, Kapa‘a
A: So far this year there have been eight fatalities, as compared to five for the same period last year, and it does concern me.
Closer scrutiny revealed that some of the contributing factors were excessive speed, alcohol and drug consumption, inattention, traffic violations, equipment failure and environmental conditions. The locations were not specific to one area, as they span from ‘Ele‘ele all the way out to Moloa‘a.
Our patrol officers and Traffic Safety Unit are taking this increase very seriously and will be stepping up traffic enforcement efforts including Driving Under The Influence arrests. We are also continuing to give educational presentations.
However, the public has to understand that KPD can not do it alone. Each and every one of us has to take responsibility for our own driving habits by not speeding, drinking alcohol, taking risks, and in my opinion, even talking on the cell phone while driving.
Earlier in my police career, as a supervisor of a traffic fatality team, during our back ground investigation leading up to the event, I learned that even the smallest deviation can have devastating results.
My advice is not to take risks, obey traffic laws, and drive defensively, because you could do everything right and still be a victim.
The bottom line is that we shouldn’t tempt fate, and we should live our lives everyday to its fullest with no regrets.
So, do me and yourself a favor by telling you significant other how much you love him or her, and hug your keiki everyday.
Q: Why is there not a law on Kaua‘i that loud music and bass levels are considered disturbing the peace? We have some neighbors about a block down the street who believe that everyone within a mile wants to hear their bass booming from their truck for hours at a time.
• Robin
A: Robin, I agree with you that it seems as if these individuals have no consideration for others. Cars and homes in close proximity of those “boom boxes” literally shake and vibrate from the sound waves.
I will be assigning our officers to make periodic checks of your location, but if this does occur again, please contact our Communication Center to initiate a complaint by calling 241-1711.
To answer your question, Article 14 of the County Ordinance entitled Noise Control addresses this situation. Individuals may be subject to arrest or citation depending on the circumstances.
Sec. 22-14.1 Noise Prohibited: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to play, use, operate or permit to be played, used or operated, any radio, tape recorder, cassette player or other machine or device for reproducing sound, if it is located in or on any of the following: (1) Any public property, including any public street, highway, building, sidewalk, park, or thoroughfare; or (2) Any motor vehicle on a public street, highway, or public space; and if the sound generated is audible at a distance of 30 feet from the device producing the sound.
Sec. 22-14.2 Enforcement: (a) Powers of Arrest or Citation. Any authorized police officer shall issue a citation for any violation under this article, except they may arrest for instances when: (1) The alleged violator refuses to provide the officer with such person’s name and address and any proof thereof as may be reasonably available to the alleged violator. (2) When the alleged violator refuses to cease such person’s illegal activity after being issued a citation.
Sec. 22-14.3 Penalty: Any person convicted of a violation of the provisions of this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in jail for not more than thirty days or both, for each offense.
