Hawaii Island police are informing the public that the enforcement period for the National “Click It or Ticket” campaign started Monday and runs through June 5. During this period, police will increase islandwide enforcement of seat belt and child restraint
Hawaii Island police are informing the public that the enforcement period for the National “Click It or Ticket” campaign started Monday and runs through June 5. During this period, police will increase islandwide enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws.
Under a law signed May 20, 2013, the driver now is responsible for all other occupants of the vehicle. If the driver is stopped and any passenger is not using a seat belt, car seat or booster seat — whether in the front seat or back seat — the driver will be cited.
Police will enforce child passenger restraint laws and will ticket drivers if children younger than 4 years old are not properly restrained in a child safety seat — or in a booster seat for children 5 to 7 years old. Child restraint and booster seat violators must go to court. They face a fine of $100 to $500 (depending upon the number of offenses) and must attend a mandatory four-hour class.
National statistics show the use of seat belts is the single-most effective step drivers and passengers can take to protect themselves in a traffic crash. In 2014, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,802 lives. From 2010-14, seat belts saved an estimated 63,000 lives.
