[digi_owl]

My first thought was to use the sh -c method.

[pwg]

Or, just use 'su' to become root, then write to the device file.

[rusk]

su isn't an option that's available to "regular" users. In particular in an environment where sudo has been set up correctly then it may be for the reason that you want regular users to be able to perform "some" powerful functions without giving them the keys to the system.