At the risk of sounding a wee bit crabby and old-mannish, we'd like to once again offer some suggestions to certain isle drivers:
1. When there is a downpour, slow down.
2. When there is a downpour, turn on your headlights.
3. At dusk and dawn, use your headlights (and not just those tiny little fog lights, either).
Now, these suggestions are the results of certain observations we have made during the recent rains. They also are made as a result of a couple of scary situations related to those observations.
Situation one occurred on Friday, Feb. 11, shortly after 5 p.m. as we were driving from Kihei to Kahului on the Mokulele Highway. Sure enough, a downpour struck. In fact, it was so severe that traffic slowed dramatically and quickly - except for a couple of drivers who apparently felt the best way to handle the poor driving conditions was to get to Kahului as fast as possible.
Now, most of the drivers also turned on their headlights immediately so others could see them. But, again, a couple of folks not only didn't turn on their lights, but overtook the rest of the traffic at such speeds that it is amazing there was not a multi-car pileup.
When we arrived at our office, we sat in the car for a few minutes and thought how close the situation had been to those pileups one sees on the Mainland when fog obscures an interstate. And there was absolutely no reason for it. Those speeders arrived in Kahului perhaps two to three minutes before the rest of us.
So, think about it, and remember our favorite bumper sticker: "Slow down, this ain't the Mainland."
The second situation occurred Thursday morning just after dawn as rain was letting up. We pulled out right in front of an SUV that was traveling with just its little fog lights on. It was absolutely our fault. But, in our defense, we misjudged the distance the SUV was from us because the lights looked so small.
We're not even certain what those lights are for. They certainly don't help other drivers see a vehicle or properly judge its position.
So, there you have it - the rantings of a crabby old man. Slow down and turn on your headlights when vision is obscured by storms or darkness. Hrrumph.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
