HONOLULU (KHON2) — It has almost been five months since a new law took effect that requires certain heavy vehicles to stay out of the left lane, but KHON2 learned there has been no enforcement.
Commercial vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or more have been prohibited from using the left lane on Hawaii roadways that have three or more lanes since Jan. 1.
Affected trucks fall into categories Class 3 and above as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Like a cement truck or like a dump truck,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation communications manager Shelly Kunishige. “That actually applies to even like really large trucks, like a Silverado. If it’s a commercial vehicle, this could apply.”
There are some exemptions — the law does not apply to City buses and TheHandi-Van and heavy commercial vehicles can disregard the rule if they are keeping up with the flow of traffic in the left lane, preparing to turn left or exiting the roadway.
One of the introducers of the bill said most Hawaii residents have been stuck behind a slow-moving big rig at one point or another.
“It really is one of those annoying things, but really can have significant delays that over time and over many, many, many different vehicles can add up,” said Sen. Chris Lee. “The focus really was, ‘How do we improve efficiency on our roads, how do we improve traffic flow?’”
Having the law on the books is one thing, but the Transportation Department said police departments are tasked with enforcing it and Sen. Lee added that communication about the relatively new rule is important as well.
KHON2 asked HPD about how many citations have gone out since January.
“HPD has educated its officers in the new law, we haven’t had any enforcement activity with that particular law yet,” said HPD Traffic Division Sgt. Thomas Billins. “And our goal is to enforce those laws as well as educate the public and the community in the spirit behind them. So as long as everybody is aware of the new law, then we can enforce them appropriately.”
“There’s probably going to be some sort of public awareness campaign and education that both law enforcement and others can really get the word out so that people are driving how I think our roads were designed for them to drive on,” Sen. Lee said.
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The fine for disregarding the new law is $97 for those who are in violation.