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Different sounds and when to be concerned
How you can avoid a noisy car
Final word
 

Different sounds and when to be concerned

If you are ever driving in Hawaii and you start to hear a sound coming from your vehicle that is not normal, odds are something is wrong. If it just occurs once or twice then ceases, you likely will not need to worry. However, if an odd sound persists, you should seek to get your car looked at by a mechanic.

There are several different types of sounds that you might hear coming from your engine that can indicate something is wrong. The first type is a squeal. A squeal can mean that something is wrong with your car’s brakes or serpentine belt. If these sounds occur more than once, take your car in and get the part in question replaced. If it is your belt, it the sound will come from your hood. If it is the brake pads the sound will come from your tires when braking.

Another sound coming from your car that can indicate trouble can be a metal grinding sound. This is very serious and will almost always mean your brake pads desperately need to be replaced right now. Get your car to a mechanic as soon as humanly possible if this is the sound that you are hearing. On the other hand, if you hear a sort of flapping sound when you turn your air on, this can indicate that one of your ventilation flaps is not tight enough. You can likely wait until your next routine maintenance to get this fixed.

If you hear a squeaking coming from inside of the car near the steering wheel when you are turning, you likely just need to put in some more power steering fluid. You can do that yourself. If the squeaking persists after this, then you should see a mechanic. Finally, if you ever hear a sort of consistent rumbling coming from under the driver’s side it could mean there is something wrong with your car’s exhaust system which is very serious. Take your car in for service immediately in this case.
 

How you can avoid a noisy car

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure” is an expression that means it is much better to be proactive about a problem and prevent it in the first place than to simply react when the problem occurs. The same is true for your car. You can save yourself a lot of time, money and stress by preventing issues happening with your car in the first place. The easiest way to do this is by taking your car in for routine checks and service several times a year. You can also teach yourself how to check basic things yourself and how to fix them such as your fluid levels and how much more you should fill them.
 

Final word

Weird noises coming from anywhere on or in your vehicle spells the potential for trouble and danger. Any time that you hear a noise that you are not sure of, you should get your car into see a mechanic right away. Types of noises to be concerned about can include squeals, squeaks, rumbling, grinding and more. Once you hear a noise more than once or for more than a day it is time to get your vehicle serviced.

Table of contents:

1. Hawaii Car Transport extends our deepest condolences to those affected by the Hawaii fires
2. Levels of fire damage to vehicles
3. The cost of car fire damage repair
4. My car caught on fire will my insurance cover it?
5. Ways to save money on replacement vehicles
6. Alternative methods of transportation in Hawaii
7. How you can help the victims of the 2023 Hawaii wildfires

Hawaii Car Transport extends our deepest condolences to those affected by the Hawaii fires

Hawaii Car Transport would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to those affected by the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. We stand ready to assist in any way we can, from providing information to helping you find transportation solutions. We also stand in complete support of our shipping partner, Maston, and their efforts in shipping tons of emergency supplies to Maui in the last week. Our hearts are with all those affected by the 2023 Lahaina fire in Maui, and we are here to support our community in recovery and rebuilding.
 

Levels of fire damage to vehicles in Hawaii

There are different levels of fire damage to vehicles during an external fire. Some cars might just be cosmetically damaged, meaning there might be damage to the vehicle’s exterior. The damage could also be more severe and affect the interior of the car and/or the engine. In the case of more severe damage, it is much more likely that your car be declared a total loss.
Here are the different levels of fire damage that your vehicle could have sustained in the Hawaii fires:

1. Minor – Minor damage to a vehicle from the Hawaii wildfires can include things like paint discoloration and melted trim.
2. Moderate – Moderate to a vehicle from the Hawaii wildfires can include engine and wiring damage.
3. Severe – Severe to a vehicle from the Hawaii wildfires is when the vehicle is considered to be totaled or unsalvageable.

The cost of car fire damage repair in Hawaii

The cost of repairing damage to a vehicle sustained in the wildfires could range from $500 for minor damage such as paint chipping up to and including the vehicle’s entire value if the car is deemed totaled. Moderate fire damage to the car will cost around $2,000 to $5,000. This can include damage to mechanical components inside the engine. If you find yourself with a big bill for repairing or replacing your vehicle after the Maui fires, consider seeing if the loss will be covered under your car insurance and/or if you qualify for FEMA assistance related to your car.
 

My car caught on fire; will my insurance cover it?

In the case of a natural disaster such as a wildfire, your car insurance will usually cover a “total loss” for vehicles covered by your policy as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance coverage of your vehicles ensures they are covered if lost to circumstances completely out of the driver’s control, such as if the car is destroyed in a flood, riot, or wildfire.
A pre-incident value is determined for your car to qualify as a total loss in Hawaii. In this case, the value of your car the day before the wildfires began. This includes the model, make, and year of the car as well as its accident/repair history and mileage. Then, the cost of repairs is added to the salvage value. If that number exceeds the pre-incident value of the car, it is deemed a total loss in Hawaii. Suppose this is the case, depending on your insurance provider and level of coverage. In that case, you will receive a check for all or most of the pre-incident value.

The only times that car insurance will not cover the full pre-incident value will be if your policy has a defined maximum payout number in the policy that is lower than the pre-incident value and/or if you have not yet covered your deductible for that year. Either way, if you plan on filing an insurance claim for your car, file a claim as soon as possible because insurance agencies will be extremely busy with claims from Maui.
 

How FEMA disaster aid deals with damaged or destroyed vehicles

If you are eligible for FEMA aid, you can use some of this towards the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if insurance did not cover some or any of the damage or replacement. According to the FEMA website, as long as you get receipts, between $250 and $4,000 worth of aid may be available for use with regards to vehicles damaged or totaled in natural disasters.
There are several conditions included in this FEMA provision provided under the Other Needs Assistance program of Individual Assistance, and that includes:

• The damage to the car must have happened in an area specified under the federal disaster declaration. President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance for the state of Hawaii as of August 8, 2023.
• The car has to be owned by the person applying for aid, and documentation must be provided.
• Receipts or cost estimates must be provided.
• The damage must make the vehicle inoperable and/or unsafe to drive.
• Cosmetic damage such as paint damage or dents will not be covered.

Ways to save money on replacement vehicles if your car was lost in the 2023 Hawaii fires

If your insurance did not pay out what you had hoped you would get for a new car, there are ways that you can buy a replacement vehicle without breaking the bank. You can always buy certified preowned vehicles or any used car with a clean history and verifiable reports to prove it. You can also pay cash for any car, new or used, as some cash discounts may be available. Finally, don’t forget to comparison shop both online and at physical car dealerships in Hawaii because some sellers or dealers may be selling for less than others.
 

Alternative methods of transportation in Hawaii

Suppose you need to get around in Hawaii and are waiting for your insurance payment for the loss of your vehicle or for your old car to be repaired from the damage it sustained in the fire. In that case, there are several ways to do this. Many of these alternative methods may be limited in the coming weeks in Maui, especially in the most heavily impacted areas of the island. If you have sought shelter in other areas of Maui or on another island, alternative methods of transportation in Hawaii in 2023 include:

• Taking the bus – There are several buses that run throughout the Hawaiian islands. You can find specific bus information on this Hawaii bus schedule site.
• Taking a shuttle – For shorter trips along busier routes in Hawaii, several shuttles also operate daily.
• Using a rideshare app – Uber and Lyft are among several rideshare apps available for use in Hawaii. Typically, rides are much easier to come by in more populated areas.
• Renting a car or moped – If you can spare the expense, you can also choose to rent a car or moped from a provider such as Avis. There is also a car rental app called Touro in which you can rent cars from individuals, and you may even be able to have the car delivered through this app.

How to obtain a new vehicle title in Hawaii if your title was lost in a fire

Suppose you lost your vehicle title in the Maui wildfires. In that case, you will not be able to prove ownership of your vehicle, which you will need to do even if the car was also lost in the fire for insurance and/or if you plan on applying for FEMA aid for the vehicle. Thankfully, you can get another copy of your vehicle title relatively easily.
To get a new copy of your vehicle title in Hawaii, do the following in order:

1. Get all your vehicle info together in one place, including:
   • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
   • Make & model
   • Year
   • License plate number
2. You will then need to fill out this form if your residence is in Maui County.
3. Get that form notarized.
4. Be ready to pay the $10 fee at the DMV.
5. Have your ID ready with you when you go to the DMV.
6. Submit the paperwork and payment at your closest operational DMV.

How you can help the victims of the 2023 Hawaii wildfires

Again, Hawaii Car Transport wishes the best to all those impacted in Maui and Hawaii and that all recovery efforts go as quickly and smoothly as possible. If you would like to help those affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires, you can donate to the Red Cross efforts by clicking this link or you can text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Getting your tires shined at the car wash
How you can do it yourself
Conclusion
 

Getting your tires shined at the car wash

Getting your tires shined is a great way to make your car look even better after washing it. It can also protect your tires from breaking down due to powerful ultraviolet rays from the sun. If you live in an area with lots of strong sun rays such as Hawaii, your tires can really fade over time. Getting regular or semi-regular tire shines will prevent this from happening.

The vast majority of people will get their tires shined when they get their car washed. Most options at the car wash will include a tire shine. Although, sometimes the most basic and cheapest car wash packages will not include a tire shine. So, if this is the case, just pay an extra five or ten dollars to either add a tire shine or level up to the next car wash package. It is recommended that you get your tires shined at least once a month. If it is a particularly rainy month or you have been off-roading, you should try to get your tires shined every other week.
 

How you can do it yourself

If you want to shine your tires yourself and skip too many unnecessary car washes, it will not be that difficult. You will just need a tire shine kit. You can pick this up at a care store such as Auto Zone or you can order one online on a site like amazon. A tire shine kit will typically run somewhere between thirty and sixty dollars. Most tire shine kits will include the following: tire cleaning spray, tire shine applicator pads, a scrub brush, gloves and instructions.

Shining your tires is pretty straight forward. You should start by wetting the tires with a hose and spraying off excess dirt and grime. After that, use your tire shine kit’s instructions to apply the tire shine. Once you have done that, wash your tires with soapy water and you will be all set. Your tire shine kit will require that you leave the cleaning spray on for a certain period of time before you wash it off. Be sure that you do not exceed this timeframe because the tire shine spray will be much harder to get off if it dries and, if it does dry, it could possibly damage your tire.
 

Conclusion

Getting your tires shined will keep them looking brand new. It will also prevent them from fading and looking dull due to damage from the strong UV rays in Hawaii. You should get your tires shined in Hawaii at least once per month. You will have the choice of getting your tires shined when you bring your car to the car wash or to do it yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, you will need to buy a tire shine kit and be sure to follow the instructions that come with the kit.

Jump to section:
Where to stop at a stop sign
How long to stop at a stop sign
Conclusion
 

Where to stop at a stop sign

Unfortunately, many people do not take stop signs as seriously as they should. Many people will routinely roll through stop signs, or some may even blow through them completely without stopping at all. Doing either of those is obviously illegal and will eventually leave you with an expensive ticket that will also cause your insurance rates to increase because it is obviously a moving violation. Even worse, you could be the cause of a major accident if you do not come to a proper and complete stop at all stop signs.

It is clear that you should always make complete and legal stops at all stop signs that you come across when you are driving in Hawaii. The first half of that is to stop at the correct place near a stop sign. Some stop signs will have a corresponding line and/or cross walk. Be sure you always stop with the very front of your car slightly behind these markers. To be exact, you can bring the nose of your car right up to these markers but do your best to not bring any part of your car over them as you are stopped. However, be sure that you do not stop too far before a stop sign either. Doing so can be dangerous because cars at the other ends of that particular intersection might not be able to see you and that can obviously lead to an accident.
 

How long to stop at a stop sign

The other half of carrying out a complete and legal stop at a stop sign in Hawaii will be to make sure you stay stopped for a long enough duration. This means that you will need to stay stopped for a count of at least three full seconds once your vehicle has officially stopped moving forward. In order to know when you can start counting those three seconds, once your car rocks back after applying your brakes, you are considered to be legally stopped. In order to count an official three seconds, you can use the Mississippi method. The Mississippi method is counting in your head or out loud by saying “one-miss-si-pi, two-miss-si-pi, three-miss-si-pi” in a calm non-rushed manner.
 

Conclusion

Coming to a full stop in a correct manner at all stop signs is not just a legal requirement when you are driving, it ensures your safety as well as the safety of any other drivers crossing those particular intersections at the same time. You must both stop at the correct position near a stop sign as well as stop completely for at least three seconds. If you do not, you risk a ticket or getting into an accident, both of which easily could have been avoided.

Jump to section:
Ensuring your pets are safe
Ensuring your pets do not distract you
 

Ensuring your pets are safe

Use a pet-specific harness, crate, or carrier to secure your pet while in the car. This helps prevent them from roaming freely, getting in the way of your driving, or becoming injured during sudden stops or accidents.

If you have a larger pet or a vehicle with cargo space, consider using pet barriers or dividers to keep them confined to a specific area. This ensures they cannot access the driver’s area or interfere with the operation of the vehicle. Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car, as temperatures can rise rapidly, leading to heat exhaustion or even death. If you must stop, bring a trusted person to stay with your pet or plan your outings to include pet-friendly places.

Ensure your pet has access to fresh air and adequate ventilation. Crack open a window or use a pet-friendly vent or fan to maintain a comfortable temperature and airflow. Avoid fully opening windows or leaving your pet’s head outside, as this poses safety risks. While it may seem enjoyable for them, it’s unsafe for your pet to stick their heads out of the car window. Debris, insects, or sudden movements can cause harm, including eye injuries or the risk of them jumping out of the vehicle.

For smaller pets or those in carriers, secure them with seat belts or use specially designed carriers that can be strapped using the vehicle’s seat belts. This prevents the carrier from moving around or becoming a projectile in case of sudden stops or accidents. Plan regular breaks during longer trips to allow your pet to stretch their legs, use the bathroom, and have some water. This reduces their restlessness and helps them stay calm during the journey.
 

Ensuring your pets do not distract you

Use appropriate restraints or carriers to secure your pets while in the car. This prevents them from moving around freely and potentially distracting you. A pet-specific harness, crate, or carrier can keep them confined and prevent them from climbing onto your lap or interfering with your ability to control the vehicle.

Ensure that loose items, such as toys or treats, are not easily accessible to your pets. These can capture their attention and lead to distraction. Keep such items secured in a pet-friendly container or store them out of reach. While it may be tempting to pet or interact with your pets while driving, it is crucial to maintain your focus on the road. Avoid reaching out to touch or play with them while driving, as this diverts your attention away from the task at hand.

Make the car ride comfortable and familiar for your pets. Place their favorite bedding or blanket in their designated area of the car to provide them with a sense of security. Familiar scents and surroundings can help keep them calm and reduce the likelihood of restlessness or attention-seeking behaviors. If you have a larger vehicle or cargo space, consider using pet barriers or dividers to separate your pets from the driver’s area. This creates a physical barrier and minimizes the chances of them coming into close proximity to you while driving.
Before embarking on a drive, ensure your pets’ needs are met. Ensure they have access to water, are fed appropriately, and have used the bathroom before the journey. This reduces the likelihood of them becoming restless or seeking attention during the drive. Ultimately, maintaining focus on the road is the most important aspect of preventing distractions. Avoid turning to look at your pets or becoming overly engaged in their activities while driving. Remember that your safety and the safety of others on the road should always be your top priority.

Jump to section:
How to drive safely on a motorcycle in Hawaii
Extra safety precautions
Conclusion
 

How to drive safely on a motorcycle in Hawaii

Riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car puts you at increased risk of injury due to fewer safety contingencies such as airbags, doors and a roof. However, you can really mitigate these risks by driving safely at all times. This will include preparing to ride properly as well as operating the motorcycle safely as you ride.

When you are out riding, never drive too fast and always obey the speed limit, especially around curves. Always use your signals when changing lanes and turning as well as giving a quick look behind you before you do. A huge part of safety while riding your motorcycle will be making sure that other motorists can always see you. You can do this by avoiding driving in car’s blind spots and/or driving too closely to them, always keeping your headlights on and always signaling.

You must also keep a close focus on the road at all times and watch out for hazards such as large branches or roadkill. If you ride over a road hazard, it can easily cause you to crash unlike in a car where you might not even feel it. Finally, never even consider driving aggressively at all on a bike. This includes the obvious like speeding, but it also includes driving in between lanes and cars to get ahead of them which is extremely dangerous as well as illegal.
 

Extra safety precautions

Being safe while you ride your motorcycle in Hawaii will begin with the correct preparation. This means that you should be as well-versed in motorcycle safety as possible which should include you taking a motorcycle safety course in addition to whatever you learned in the process of getting your license. Be sure that you do a quick inspection of your bike prior to each ride including checking the tires, brakes and handlebars. You also should always check the weather forecast and if there is rain in the forecast, skip that day’s ride. Also, always wear the proper safety gear which will include a helmet as well as goggles and boots. Finally, you should really consider carrying a first aid kit with you on your bike in case of a minor mishap or accident where you will be able to tend to your own very minor injuries.
 

Conclusion

Before you get out on the road on your motorcycle in Hawaii and enjoy the fresh air, gorgeous weather and beautiful views, you must do everything possible to keep yourself as safe as you can. Doing this includes preparing yourself and your bike for safety as well as driving cautiously and correctly. Never ride in the rain, always inspect your motorcycle before you ride, wear a helmet at all times, always make yourself visible, never speed and constantly be on the lookout for road hazards.

Jump to section:
The speeds that you should drive in each lane of traffic
On-ramp and off-ramp speeds
 

The speeds that you should drive in each lane of traffic

The leftmost lane on a multi-lane highway is generally used for passing and driving at high speeds, while the right lanes are intended for slower traffic, merging, and exiting. In Hawaii, this is no different. It is critical to maintain a speed that is consistent with the traffic flow of the lane you are in. If you drive too slowly in the left lane, you may cause a slowdown and create a traffic jam and/or a dangerous situation for other drivers who are trying to pass you. However, if you drive too fast in the right lane, you may endanger other drivers who are entering or exiting the highway or may not have enough time to react to an instantaneous change in overall traffic speed.

When driving in the furthest left lane, you should drive at a speed that is higher than the traffic flow in the other lanes. When driving in the rightmost lane, you should lower your speed to accommodate slower-moving traffic or to get ready for an exit leading to a road with much slower moving traffic.

It is also vital to remember that weather, road conditions, and the amount of traffic can affect the appropriate speed for any lane. For example, during inclement weather such as when it is raining, all drivers may need to reduce speed in all lanes to ensure safe driving.
 

On-ramp and off-ramp speeds

The speed at which you accelerate to on on-ramps and decelerate to on off-ramps is extremely important for safe driving and not impeding traffic. When joining traffic on a highway from an on-ramp, it is critical to increase your speed to match the traffic already on that highway. Typically, the posted speed limit on an on-ramp is lower than that of the highway, so you will need to accelerate and merge into the flow of traffic. Always use your signals, check your blind spots, and be aware of other drivers around you when merging onto the highway. Driving too slowly or too quickly can cause delays or create dangerous situations.

When leaving the highway on an off-ramp, you must start slowing down and reducing your speed as soon as you get close to the off-ramp. Do not wait until you are on the off-ramp to do this. You should lower your speed to the posted limit on the off-ramp and be ready to come to a complete stop at any stop signs or traffic lights at the end of the ramp. Always remember to use your signals and be aware of other drivers around you when exiting the highway. Not slowing down enough can result in loss of control or a collision with other vehicles.

Jump to section:
The cost of renting a car in Hawaii
Restrictions on driving a rental car in Hawaii
Other Hawaiian driving options
Final word
 

The cost of renting a car in Hawaii

If you travel to Hawaii for a few days or a couple of weeks, renting a car probably will not break the bank. However, if you stay there much longer than that, the price of renting a car will quickly show its downside as it will get quite costly.

Generally, it will cost you about $25 per day to rent a car in Hawaii. After two weeks that is $350. So, it will run you $700 per month to rent a car in Hawaii. That price does not even include gas which is typically more expensive in Hawaii than anywhere else in the United States.

This price also does not factor in the price of rental insurance either. That can cost an additional $10 to $20 per day. So, that could bring your potential $700 per month rental cost to $900 per month. If you skip the insurance, you risk quite a hefty bill if you happen to damage the car. This will be hundreds or even thousands of dollars in addition to the regular rental cost.
 

Restrictions on driving a rental car in Hawaii

On top of being expensive, renting a car in Hawaii comes with restrictions. The most infamous of these restrictions in Hawaii is that you can not take the vast majority of the rental vehicles off-roading. This will considerably limit where you can take the car.

If you do so and you end up damaging the car in anyway, you will be responsible for one hundred percent of the cost of the damage, even if you purchased the rental insurance.
 

Other Hawaiian driving options

If you have decided that you do not want to deal with the headache of renting a car in Hawaii, you do have a few other options.

• Shipping – You can always ship your current car to Hawaii. On average, if you were to ship your car to Hawaii from Los Angeles it will cost about $1,750. So, you can have your very own car in Hawaii with no driving restrictions.
• Selling/Buying – You can also sell your current car and then buy a new one when you get to Hawaii. However, this will require a lot more work than any of the other options and it will likely be the costliest options in terms of value.
• Ride-share apps – Much like renting a car, you can use ride-share apps as a temporary or stop-gap option. It will likely be cheaper than renting a car because you only get charged when you use a ride-share app, not per-day. Uber and Lyft are available for use in Hawaii.

Final word

Renting a car in Hawaii is a fine option if you are only doing it for a short period. Otherwise it can get very expensive, plus, you will have several restrictions on where and how you can drive. Your other options are to ship your current car, sell your current car and buy a new one, as well as use ride share apps.

Jump to section:
Driving behind a large truck
Driving alongside a large truck
 

Driving behind a large truck

Driving near a large truck in Hawaii can be intimidating but it can also be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. If a worst-case scenario occurs and you get into an accident with a large truck out on the highway, it can easily result in serious injury or even death. So, you will want to take extreme caution and drive as safely as possible around any large trucks. Here are some tips for driving safely behind a large truck:

• Keep a safe distance – Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. The general rule is to stay at least two full car lengths behind the truck. This will allow you enough time to react if the truck suddenly stops or slows down significantly.
• Avoid blind spots – Large trucks have blind spots on both sides and behind them. Try to stay out of these areas and be aware of where the truck driver may not be able to see you. If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you.
• Do not tailgate – Do not tailgate the truck in front of you. This is dangerous and can cause a serious accident if the truck suddenly stops or slows down. Keep a safe distance and be patient.
• Pass with caution – If you need to pass the truck, do it with caution. Make sure that you signal before you pass and that you have plenty of room to do so. Don’t pass on the right side of the truck because this is the truck driver’s blind spot.
• Be alert – Pay attention to what’s happening around you, especially to what the large truck near you is doing. Watch for turn signals, brake lights, and other signs that the truck driver may be preparing to slow down, change lanes or turn.

Driving alongside a large truck

Driving safely alongside a large truck will mean you need to drive more defensively. Use the following advice to help you drive safely alongside a large truck:

• Give large trucks space – Large trucks are much heavier and longer than cars. This means that they take longer to stop and have wider turning radiuses. Keep this in mind when driving alongside a truck and give them plenty of space.
• Never drive in the truck’s blind spots – Large trucks have blind spots on both sides and behind them. These are areas where the truck driver cannot see other vehicles. Avoid driving in these blind spots and stay visible at all times to the truck’s driver.
• Pass the truck safely – If you need to pass the truck, do it safely. Use your turn signals and make sure you have plenty of room to pass. Pass quickly but don’t speed. Never pass the truck on the right side, as this is the truck driver’s blind spot.
• Stay focused – When driving alongside a large truck, stay focused on the road ahead. Avoid distractions like cell phones and personal conversations.
• Keep a safe distance – Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. This gives you enough time to react if the truck suddenly stops or slows down.
• Be patient – Large trucks are slower and harder to maneuver than cars. Do not get overzealous and try to pass a large truck in an unsafe manner or in an unsafe location.

Jump to section:
Maintaining your lane and your speed
Maximizing visibility and staying visible
Conclusion
 

Maintaining your lane and your speed

In Hawaii, you will need to deal with some blind curves if you ever end up driving near the mountainous portions of any of the island. Typically, if you do something potentially dangerous when driving like failing to maintain your lane, oncoming drivers will easily be able to see this and can easily avoid a collision because they will have ample driving time. When you are driving around a blind curve, the opposite is the case. Oncoming drivers will not be able to see you at all and will have very little to no reaction time as a result.

This is why it is so important, not only to maintain your lane but also to reduce your speed as much as possible when you both approach and drive around a blind curve. Maintaining your lane will go a long way to preventing any possibility of a collision while reducing your speed will maximize both your reaction time as well as the reaction time of any oncoming drivers. Reducing your speed will also prevent you from any loss of control over the car as you drive around the curve, which could be disastrous.
 

Maximizing visibility and staying visible

In addition to maximizing your reaction time, you should maximize both your visibility as well as your ability to be seen. This is still important during the day but is even more important at night when navigating a blind curve. You should always turn your headlights on when approaching a blind curve but never your high beams. Your headlights will make you instantly more noticeable without impacting any oncoming driver’s ability to see, while high beams could potentially blind an oncoming driver.

You should also ensure that your windshield is not too fogged up. If it is too foggy during your approach to a blind curve, put your defoggers on and pull over if possible until the windshield has been successfully defogged. If you are approaching a blind curve and a bright sun is obstructing your view at least partially, use your sun visor to block some or all of it. Finally, if it is raining, make sure that your wiper blades are turned on and at the correct speed relative to how hard it is raining.
 

Conclusion

Driving around a blind curve in Hawaii can be a dangerous proposition. This is because, at least for a moment, you will not know whether there is oncoming car, motorcycle or truck around the corner barreling towards you at potentially high and unsafe speeds. In order to protect yourself as well as any oncoming drivers, be sure to reduce your speed as much as possible, maintain your lane, have your headlights on and do whatever else you can to increase your ability to see when you are driving around a blind curve. If you have any questions about shipping a car or any other type of vehicle to Hawaii, feel free to give us a call anytime at (808) 445-6695.