HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT DEXTER VERIATO
PHONE: 961-2305
MAY 3, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE

Police are warning Big Island residents that the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign for 2005 has begun.

Sergeant Dexter Veriato, head of the Traffic Services Section, said there will be roving patrols and seatbelt enforcement checkpoints set up throughout the Big Island. The effort is part of both a national and statewide campaign, he said.

Veriato noted that it is estimated that 25 lives could have been saved statewide last year by wearing seatbelts.

“Sadly, over one third of those traffic deaths came from the Big Island,” he said. “Those numbers are just too high.

“According to the last statewide survey, the County of Hawaii’s seatbelt usage has dropped significantly, and we are taking those results very seriously. We need the public’s help in saving lives.”

In addition to ticketing unbuckled drivers and passengers, police will enforce child passenger restraint laws and ticket drivers if children under the age of four are not properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Hawaii’s seatbelt law requires those riding in the front seat to use their seatbelts and those 17 and under to use their seatbelts in the back seat. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $92.

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