A study released this week by an online personal finance website, WalletHub, named Hawaii the worst state for drivers.
And Hawaii drivers were too weary and futless from sitting in traffic to fight back. Besides, we all know it’s true. It’s cold comfort, empty validation, to hear that somebody outside Hawaii noticed something that is common knowledge to anyone who has to brace for a daily commute here.
To clarify, the WalletHub study said conditions in Hawaii, including the quality of roads, availability of car repair shops and gas prices, together make it tough to be a driver in Hawaii — tougher by far than in any other state.
The study did not say Hawaii drivers are the worst, though there are days when you really have to wonder. Like the other day when a red sports car with vanity plates that would indicate the driver is a member of the clergy was whipping in and out of traffic like a bat out of you-know-where (and I don’t mean Palolo), changing lanes like in “2 Fast 2 Furious,” flying through H-1 eastbound by that Kaimuki stretch that is so often the scene of gnarly smash-ups.
Or the other day (like every day), when a squadron of young drivers in low-slung racers commandeered the freeway near Leeward Community College, scaring all the folks puttering along in their practical little Leafs. Or the legions of impossibly slow drivers who will not — WILL! NOT! — surrender the far left lane for its proper use as the high-speed lane. No, the study didn’t factor in the actual ability and behavior of Hawaii drivers; just the conditions in which Hawaii people drive poorly are bad enough to put us dead last.
The study did mention rain as a factor, though, as Hawaii is No. 48 out of 50 with the most days of precipitation. As in townies don’t know how to drive in the rain. As in you know it’s true.
All 50 states were compared on 30 key factors that weigh the cost of vehicle maintenance, traffic, infrastructure and safety. Hawaii had the highest average gas prices. No surprise. Hawaii was near the bottom for road quality. Again, no surprise. Hawaii had the fewest auto repair shops per capita of any other state in the country. Sad, yeah? All those old-time mechanics, the kupuna who could pretty much fix anything and the greasy garages where they performed automotive miracles are fading away.
One of the factors was number of car washes (like, commercial businesses where you can get your car washed) per capita. In this measure as well, Hawaii ranked the lowest, which doesn’t seem fair. Who needs a car wash when you can park on the grass and use the neighbor’s hose or give 20 bucks to the high school kids trying to raise money for a club? That score should be thrown out. But then the result would still be the same, and we know it. Hawaii is the worst place for drivers.
Reach Lee Cataluna at 529-4315 or lcataluna@staradvertiser.com.
