During April, the state Department of Transportation, along with county police departments and traffic safety partners, Toyota Hawaii and DTRIC Insurance, will be working together to educate Hawaii about the dangers of distracted driving as part of National Distracted Driving
During April, the state Department of Transportation, along with county police departments and traffic safety partners, Toyota Hawaii and DTRIC Insurance, will be working together to educate Hawaii about the dangers of distracted driving as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Presentations are planned during Drive Aloha Fairs statewide to demonstrate the dangers of distracted driving with the use of a state-of-the-art digital driving simulator system that allows drivers of all ages to experience how dangerous it is to operate a vehicle while being distracted. The digital simulator system is the only one of its kind in Hawaii.
“Behind every distracted driving death is a story of loss,” said Ford Fuchigami, state DOT director. “In the blink of an eye, lives can be transformed forever. Scrolling through song lists on a cellphone or texting while driving are not just irresponsible, it can have tragic consequences. We’re calling on drivers to put down their devices and help keep the roadways safe.”
The Big Island Drive Aloha Fair is from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given daylight moment across the country, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cellphones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. Nationally, in 2014 alone, motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers claimed 3,179 lives and injured 431,000 people.
Hawaii’s law prohibits the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, making it illegal for drivers to text or engage in other hand-held uses of mobile electronic devices such as cellphones, mp3 players, personal digital assistants and navigation devices.
The law also prohibits drivers from using a hand-held mobile electronic device when stopped at a red light or stop sign. The fine for violating this law starts at $257. Violations in school zones or construction areas are subject to a higher amount.
Although distracted driving related incidents tend to be underreported locally, last year police issued more than 20,000 distracted driving citations statewide. Increased enforcement of distracted driving laws combined with public education have proven to be an effective method to reduce distracted driving and save lives.
