Driving in Oahu

Hello,

I%26#39;m going to Oauhu in 15 days and I%26#39;ve planeed to rent a car. I%26#39;m a bit worried because never driven in the USA so I don%26#39;t know much about the driving rules. Yes, I know rules are more or less the same around the world but some points can be different.

For example, I%26#39;ve read the priority in an intersection is for who arrive first while in Spain/Europe is always for those wich arrive from your right.

I suppose a STOP means complete STOP and not just a ';give the way';

Well, if somebody can help me with few tips to avoid a fine (or an accident) they will be appreciated!

Thanks! :)

Driving in Oahu

I think we are pretty polite drivers here with a some exceptions.

Stop means stop.

Driver%26#39;s on the right have the right of way at an intersection.

You can proceed turning right on a red light. There are a few intersections that do not allow this and they have a sign telling you it is not allowed.

Driving in town is fairly slow. The highway in town has a speed limit of 45 MPH and in some places 50 MPH. (MPH=miles per hour).

We have alot of one way streets.

Driving in Oahu

If it%26#39;s a ';controlled'; intersection (stop signs going both ways), then whoever arrived first has the right of way. IF you both arrive at the same time, then the one on the right has the right of way.

I am from Holland myself and there were two things that I had the most difficulty with:

1 - you are allowed to turn right when the traffic light is red, unless there is a sign that says ';no turn on red';. I%26#39;ve lived in the US for over 10 years and that one is still difficult for me.

2 - do not take the right of way when you come from the right. In Holland everything from the right has the right of way, and people just drive into traffic when they come from that direction. Simply drive very slowly, or come to a stop at every crossroads and you will be fine.

About the STOP sign, that one is easy. Come to a complete stop and wait for your turn to go. One at a time from each street. If it is just you and one or two others, your turn is the same as the order that you arrive in. Because everyone comes to a stop it%26#39;s not hard to figure out, and in Hawaii they are used to confused tourists, so don%26#39;t worry, take it easy.

dmv-department-of-motor-vehicles.com/HI_Hawa…

Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles for the State of Hawaii. Read about their laws, signs, etc.

In Honolulu it is great to have a ';navigator';...someone who can read the street signs. As a first time visitor you will feel like EVERY street begins with a ';K'; and ends with an ';A'; with about 15 letters between them. Not true but it feels that way at first. I advise really studying a good map.

Also be aware that during rush hour in Honolulu they ';cone off'; certain lanes to create better traffic flow...it works but can be very confusing for first time visitors.

And finally, with apologies and all due respect to my TA friends here, Honolulu is the capitol of ';Red-Light'; running. I have never in all my travels seen so many people blast through red-lights...wait that extra second after the light turns green.

Mamma0233...you are so right about red light runners. I had to laugh when you said to pause a second before going when the light turns green. I do that all the time! You are very akamai.

Thanks Sheila! You just made my day.

Thanks for your comments. They are very useful!!!

hi.can anyone give a little more information on the turn right on red light rule please?.do you treat the red light as a stop or give way sign if turning right?.regards ian

Ian -- see above. Check with the Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicles. Who knows - maybe they have a page for visitors. That would be a good idea.

For anyone: invest in a professionally done map. Order one on-line or through a book store. In the US, AAA or Thomas Brothers is a good source. The maps that they give you at the car rental agencies are cartoonish. They are chopped up with pages and pages of advertisements in between the sections. Very difficult to follow and the page jumps are murder.