HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
JUNE 27, 2003
MEDIA RELEASE
A new study by the University of Hawaii’s Urban and Regional Planning Department shows that seat belt usage on the Big Island has increased for the second year in a row, according to Sergeant Randy K. Apele, head of the Traffic Services Section.
After the “Click It or Ticket” campaign from May 24 to 31, 2003, Apele said, Big Island seat belt usage was measured at 90.6 percent — a 2.1 percent increase from the 88.5 percent listed in January 2003 and a 4.3 increase from the 86.4 percent measured in 2002.
The most recent study, currently being compiled for the State Department of Transportation’s Safe Communities Office, shows that seat belt usage statewide now stands at 91.7 percent.
After the “Click It or Ticket” campaign was conducted statewide, seatbelt usage rates increased in all four counties, the study shows.
Although the most recent statistics have not yet been compiled for districts, seatbelt usage in January 2003 on the Big Island was lowest in the Districts of South Kona, 78.1 percent; Ka’u, 83.4 percent; and Hamakua, 83.6 percent.
Apele said Big Island police will concentrate on increasing seat belt usage in these three districts through increased publicity and through increased enforcement.
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