HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Transportation is partnering with state and county law enforcement officers to ensure drivers – and their keiki – across the state are buckling up during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign that runs May 20 through June 2.
According to the HDOT, 42% (14 of 36) of vehicle occupants that died in traffic collisions in Hawaii last year were not wearing safety belts. To date – January 1 through May 9 – seven of 14 vehicle occupants that have been killed in crashes were reported as not wearing their seatbelt.
Hawaii Revised Statute §291-11.6 requires all vehicle occupants, regardless of age or seating position, must be properly restrained using a child safety seat or seatbelt.
Buckling up properly can save lives by reducing the force of an impact, reducing the risk of being ejected in a crash and reducing the chance of impact with the vehicle interior or other passengers.
The fine for not using a seatbelt on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai and Lanai is $102; the fine is $112 on Kauai. The driver receives one citation for every vehicle occupant not using a seatbelt.
In 2023, law enforcement agencies in all four counties issued 9,310 seatbelt citations and 992 child safety seat citations, according to HDOT. From January through the end of April this year, 2,501 seatbelt citations and 196 child safety seat citations were given out.
Hawaii law enforcement personnel will step up enforcement throughout the campaign. Officials encourage people transporting children to double-check their child seats or booster seats.
Information on child passenger safety seats and car seat checks is available on the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition website. For information on the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, visit the NHTSA website.
