Drivers need to
pay attention ADVERTISING Drivers need to
pay attention I live and work in Kailua-Kona and I almost die or become injured three times a day while using my scooter. A typical day for me is to leave home in
Drivers need to
pay attention
I live and work in Kailua-Kona and I almost die or become injured three times a day while using my scooter.
A typical day for me is to leave home in the “Hamburger Hill” area and get on my scooter to enter Kalani Street about two intersections above McDonald’s and ride through town to work at the Kaloko Industrial Area. The Kalani Street is a speedway for motorcycles and cars who drive fast, loud, use their cellphones and seldom stop at the intersections having stop signs. I see the reason is because the drivers usually will start or finish their texts or phone calls, and buckle their seatbelt at same time while still moving.
Then after I enter the bicycle/scooter lane on Kuakini Highway, I have to watch for every car that will turn or come on to the street — usually without using turn signals — because they are not looking for bicycles or scooters. This means anyone on a scooter or bicycle becomes just an obstacle. Riding on the roadway might be safer, except the cars want to speed.
If I have survived the ride through town, then the next danger is to be on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and in the bike lane. During my ride, cars are trying to enter or leave the highway without stopping, looking or yielding to us, especially at the main intersection for the harbor and high school entrance and the gas station and gravel pit nearby that don’t have any yield signs posted.
I’m asking car and truck drivers to put down the phone, slow down and look at the roadway to prevent injury or death to those who are not as aware.
Rich Smith
Kailua-Kona
