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Supposed To Be Safe

August 24th, 2012
By Braddah Lance

Wouldn't you think that riding a school bus is one of the safest modes of transportation?

Well not from the three bus drivers I witnessed in two days.

On Tuesday, a school bus operated by Ground Transportation thought he was too good for traffic - or one of da keiki riding da bus had to go bathroom - cause instead of crawling in pau hana traffic like the rest of the population, he decided to take the Pali Hwy cut off heading Ewa bound and make an illegal left turn.

Click hea fo' see da location if you're unfamiliar

Now imagine that the left lane is bumper to bumper from vehicles coming from Punchbowl Street - if you haven't taken the Pali Hwy cut off before, it's a "free-flowing" lane - ...... until a huge a$$ bus decides to plop itself stopped at the very last foot of road, trying to force its way in making an illegal left turn. The cars behind stop suddenly as they have no other option but to wait while the Punchbowl vehicles are screaming to themselves, "no let 'em in!"

Wassup Wit Dat!

Well, I'm pretty sure it wasn't as G-rated as that.

Then yesterday, heading Ewa bound from the Vineyard on ramp
(Click hea to see da location), a Kamehameha School Bus does the same with the exception that it isn't an illegal turn but it's one of those situations that you're not supposed to "cut in line". She bulls her way in anyways as her other counterparts have done the same a few moments ago and then does so again at a - imho - a very dangerous part of the freeway.

Click hea to see where

She not only made the traffic behind her slow down, she actually crossed the solid line to change lanes cause she nevah like wait a few more car lengths! What gets me is that she literally had way more than enough time and space to have changed lanes safely prior to that and everyone that has driven that stretch of H1 knows that!

In the same ride home, I get on the viaduct and traveling sixty-something mph while I noticed a short school bus way ahead. Now I'm traveling a good clip - going along with the flow of traffic - but the funny thing is that I wasn't catching up to the school bus. Logic just tells me that the school bus was going 70+! When I finally catch up to the Tomasa School Bus, I couldn't tell if it was handicapped keiki or not.

Now I dunno about you, but when I witness the very drivers that we entrust our keiki's lives to travel with showing such recklessness, I can't help but wondah, WTF?!

Seriously, was there going to be a bonus at the drop off if they got there at a certain time? Was there someone in an emergency situation? Did they have carte blanche about not following the laws of the road or safety for others?

And you wonder why these habits get passed on and get worse by generation. You got a bus full of keiki witnessing - and being part of - first hand, probably every single day, the very essence of rule breaking without consequence. And totally shame on you bus drivers for constantly perpetuating that! I witnessed three separate bus company driver's putting keiki at risk so it's not like it's just one company. How would you feel if you saw your son/daughter/niece/nephew riding in a vehicle like that? What if that turn you decided to take so late cause you nevah like wait in traffic caught a vehicle behind off guard? A lot of people could/would have been injured.

I'm disgusted that adults who should definitely know better - while having tremendous responsibility to drive safe - would commit such dangerous acts. I still can't believe it's a school bus full of keiki that are being put into these situations and while I have not witnessed or heard of any tragic accidents, at this rate, there's bound to be one. Granted there are many many other drivers who take more pride and responsibility about their driving skills, but considering it's school time and these buses are more visible than ever, they should be way more diligent.

Instead of shopping for a new Tacoma, I should invest in a school bus....... cause no one going stop me and I definitely no like wait in line during traffic.








Posted in WWD! | 15 Comments »

15 Responses to “Supposed To Be Safe”

  1. Michelle:
    August 24th, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Yep, them bus drivers are interesting. Changing lane at the last moment isn't too bad, but I do dislike it when they tailgate, act like race car drivers or run you off the road.

    BTW, changing lane on a solid white line is NOT illegal, check the drivers manual. I didn't believe myself until a fried pointed it out. Means to change with caution.


  2. M:
    August 24th, 2012 at 6:00 am

    Howzit BL!
    First!


  3. M:
    August 24th, 2012 at 6:02 am

    You would tink dat being a school bus drivah, dey would be safe drivahs, I guess not, dey don't care eidah.


  4. Leimomi:
    August 24th, 2012 at 6:13 am

    Braddah Lance,
    I can appreciate your comments about public transportation/school drivers being careless, I'd also like to add, that, just because someone has a CDL license does NOT mean they can drive something that big.
    On the other hand, I AM a driver of public transportation in Seattle WA, and I have been for over 30 years. I have seen transit drivers come and go, I too wonder at times how the heck dey got da job..... Nonetheless, in Seattle/King County, RCW rules, meaning, if a bus is trying to pull out of a zone, curb, etc., you as a motorist, MUST stop and allow them in. I know I know, no one wants to be behind a bus, well, what always bites my okole is when someone HAS to be in front of me while I'm in my 60 foot bus and then they go slow. But that's neither here nor there.... ANYWAY, imho, the bottom line is, some people jus' NO CAN DRIVE! HOW they got their drivers' license is beyond my comprehension. Seattle has some of the worst traffic in the nation, with "accidents"ever single day. I personally would not refer to these as accidents, because accidents are what CANNOT be prevented. These so-called accidents are caused by people who are not paying attention to the road, too busy yakking on their cellphones, texting, putting on make-up, shaving, brushing their teeth (and YES, I've seen all of this) ........
    School buses on the other hand, are a whole different ball game. IMHO, these people have to have a certain mentality to deal with screaming kids, those that refuse to SIT DOWN and BE QUIET, etc. They deal with students who insist on jumping around while the coach is moving and quite frankly, have no respect whatsoever for the driver. Maybe the drivers were having a bad day, with lots of screaming kids on the bus?
    I also know what traffic is like in Honolulu, I was born and raised on the Windward side, and I'm home at least 2/3 times a year, and yes, the traffic sucks!
    A hui hou!
    Momi


  5. M:
    August 24th, 2012 at 6:28 am

    Happy Aloha Friday and FGF!


  6. Braddah Lance:
    August 24th, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Michelle:
    ...but I do dislike it when they tailgate, act like race car drivers or run you off the road.

    Wow! You witness dat kine of action too? Many many years ago driving down Red Hill there were two city buses that were racing back to the Pearl City station. They were "out of service" and it was late so they must have thought they had the highway free and clear... until they had to slow down for "slower" cars. I had passed them and then noticed a 20 ton monstah right on my okole FLASHING his headlights wanting me to move! Dat was so unreal I reported it to TheBus but nevah heard nothing back. Go figgah. :roll:

    BTW, changing lane on a solid white line is NOT illegal, check the drivers manual. I didn't believe myself until a fried pointed it out. Means to change with caution.

    Au contraire mon frere. Legal or illegal it is up to the law enforcement officer's interpretation as the drivers manual has got nothing when the State ordinance has it in black in white (pun intended). :lol: The statute says that "A solid white line may be crossed only in unusual circumstances and then only with great care." I don't think changing lanes cause you wanted to be a prick qualifies. :lol:

    §291C-38 Longitudinal traffic lane markings. (a) Traffic lane markings shall be yellow, white or red in color. Black may be used in combination with these colors where the pavement itself does not provide sufficient contrast.

    (b) Lane markings shall conform to the following concepts:

    (1) White lines indicate the separation of lanes of traffic flowing in the same direction.

    (2) Yellow lines indicate the separation of lanes of traffic flowing in opposing directions or the left boundary of a traffic lane at a particularly hazardous location.

    (3) Red markings indicate a roadway that shall not be entered or used by the viewer of those markings.

    (4) Broken lines are permissive in character.

    (5) Solid lines are restrictive in character.

    (6) A wider line indicates a greater degree of emphasis.

    (7) Double lines indicate maximum restriction.

    (8) Markings which require visible emphasis at night shall be reflectorized.

    (c) Longitudinal traffic lane markings shall have the following applications:

    (1) A broken white line is used to indicate the edge of the traffic lane where travel is permitted in the same direction on both sides of the line and may be crossed by vehicular traffic when the crossing can be made with safety.

    (2) A broken yellow line is used to indicate the left edge of a traffic lane where traffic on the other side of the line moves in the opposite direction and may be crossed by vehicular traffic only when overtaking or passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when executing a left turn and then only if the movement can be made with safety and does not interfere with traffic moving in the opposite direction.

    (3) A solid white line is used to indicate the edge of the traffic lane where travel in the same direction is permitted on both sides of the line but where movement from lane to lane is considered to be hazardous. A solid white line may be crossed only in unusual circumstances and then only with great care. A double width solid white line is used to emphasize a greater degree of hazard.

    (4) A solid white line is also used to indicate the right edge of the pavement.

    (5) A double solid white line is used to indicate the edges of traffic lanes where travel in the same direction is permitted on both sides of the double line but where movement from lane to lane is considered to be dangerous. The crossing of a double solid white line by vehicular traffic is prohibited.

    btw, E Komo Mai to WWD! Michelle! It's so nice wen Lurkahs come out and share! I (we) really do appreciate it!
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    M:
    First!

    Not. :razz:

    You would tink dat being a school bus drivah, dey would be safe drivahs, I guess not, dey don't care eidah.

    I guess they no like traffic either.
    .
    .
    .

    Leimomi:
    I can appreciate your comments about public transportation/school drivers being careless, I'd also like to add, that, just because someone has a CDL license does NOT mean they can drive something that big.

    I am somewhat familiar wit dat. There are "levels" of CDL and the gross tonage they are qualified to drive.

    On the other hand, I AM a driver of public transportation in Seattle WA, and I have been for over 30 years.

    WOW! Congrats!

    Nonetheless, in Seattle/King County, RCW rules, meaning, if a bus is trying to pull out of a zone, curb, etc., you as a motorist, MUST stop and allow them in.

    I'm not surah if we have a similar law but we are required to stop when their lights flash regardless if there are multiple lanes.

    I know I know, no one wants to be behind a bus, well, what always bites my okole is when someone HAS to be in front of me while I'm in my 60 foot bus and then they go slow.

    I had a friend of a friend who drove big rigs say dat if someone happens to cut you off and you can't stop you should just run 'em ovah cause if you jam da breaks, you risk jack-knifing! Plus, cause da rig is so big and heavy, no can stop in time anyways so might as well stay in control and slow down instead of reacting rashly. Evah since she told me dat, I always make surah get enough room wen I'm front.

    School buses on the other hand, are a whole different ball game. IMHO, these people have to have a certain mentality

    Das wat I'm saying. :grin:

    A hui hou! Momi

    E Komo Mai to WWD! Leimomi! I'm so glad you could drop in and share! Plus coming from a public transportation drivah as well! Double bonus. :grin:

    It is so nice to see new "faces" come out and share..... wat about da rest of you Lurkahs? :razz:
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    M:
    Happy Aloha Friday and FGF!

    Yup, Happy Aloha Friday but not so good FGF fo' me. Been battling a head cold and now my body is creeping up on da aches. :cry:


  7. M:
    August 24th, 2012 at 8:27 am

    I hope you feel bettah by tomorrow.


  8. cojef:
    August 24th, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Moral for the days is a school bus can do no wrong, but you'd had better watch your p's & q's when passing a school bus when the lights are flashing. Somehow it always happens when the cops are nearby. As long as everyone pays heed when near school bus and respect their space, your keikis will be safe. Not defending errant bus driver, but would rather be a cautious driver around a school bus rather be in an accident with one. Prevention has untold benefits rather than the other tragic alternatives involving our keikis.


  9. Peter:
    August 24th, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Mahalo for naming the companies. I hope the employers of the drivers fire, suspend, discipline or retrain their drivers. Just don't wink and reward them. Or, if need be, give them a raise and let them hang around the office. UH style.


  10. sally:
    August 24th, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Where's all da Like buttons?


  11. kamaaina808:
    August 24th, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Junk drivers! Do the keiki & their ohana a favor: get the bus and/or license numbers & descriptions of the drivers, call the DOT or the bus company & report them. No excuses for doing that, imho. I ride the TheBus & some of the drivers drive like my Ma did (RIP Mom, love ya!)... speed up, jam on the brake like they don't see people in front of them stopping already, sheesh!


  12. DIO:
    August 24th, 2012 at 11:18 pm

    I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again.....our driver's license system is screwed. Anyone with a pulse can get a driver's license. They should stop calling those things a license, and call them by a more appropriate name, photo identification.


  13. M:
    August 27th, 2012 at 5:54 am

    Guud morning BL!


  14. M:
    August 28th, 2012 at 6:01 am

    Guud morning BL :)


  15. SittingInLimbo:
    August 28th, 2012 at 8:05 am

    I am not surprise at all! People who drives buses, rigs or F-150's w/the ainokea or HE>I sticker attached to their bumpers think that they have the right of way for anything! I get so upset when they tail me especially when my babies are in the car with me. I notice that the rig drivers who think that they're invincible is the younger drivers. Maybe I should start collecting pennies is my car again so I can fly um at the cars who drive brainless.