State offers tips to Beat the School Jam

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reminds motorists that nearly 50,000 students have returned to traversing near and sometimes riding on streets and other thoroughfares throughout the islands with the advent of a new school year.

It also means more traffic on those same roadways as parents, older siblings and other guardians pick up and drop off their students each morning and afternoon.

So state Transportation Department officials are offering tips to beat the inevitable school traffic jam.

Commuters are encouraged to share rides to reduce the number of cars on the road. The department’s Beat the School Jam campaign — running on television and radio stations throughout the islands — focuses on some ways sharing a ride can reduce time and frustration on the road.

Those interested in starting a carpool can begin with running the idea by coworkers or friends. You can also try the Transportation Department’s free ride-matching website HiRideshare to find someone with a similar route and schedule.

Here are a few more tips to Beat the School Jam this year.

Plan ahead

Maintain your vehicle

• Stalled vehicles and crashes are examples of traffic incidents that account for about one-third of all delays on the nation’s highways. Following your vehicle’s recommended service schedule and making sure your vehicle has enough fuel or charge to reach your destination can reduce delays and the potential for secondary crashes.

Check travel times before you leave

• Third-party apps such as Apple Maps and Google Maps allow you to enter your regular trips and see potential travel times based on route and congestion.

Sign up for roadwork notices

• Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation publishes the roadwork schedule for the upcoming week every Friday.

Change the way you work

• Check with your employer about the possibility of teleworking or shifting your schedule to avoid the peak commute times of 5 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.

Consider transportation alternatives

Use public transit

• Check out bus routes and fares on Kaua‘i County’s transit website. If there is a route convenient to you, taking public transit can be a great way to reclaim time that you would’ve spent driving, as well as save money on gas and parking.

Ride a bike

• Check out the state’s bikeway map to see existing bike paths statewide. Visiting your local bicycling advocacy website is a good idea for anyone thinking about biking for transportation or fun.

“Let’s all welcome the new school year safely and calmly,” said the state Transportation Department in a release about the Beat the School Jam campaign. “[Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation] appreciates all the roadway users that contribute to safer roads by following the speed limit, limiting distractions and watching out for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles. These safety measures are especially important as our keiki and young adults head to school.”