HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
MAY 10, 2002
MEDIA RELEASE
The Hawaii County Police Department is taking part in a statewide campaign to boost seat belt usage.
The “Click It or Ticket” campaign begins Monday (May 13, 2002) with Hawaii County police officers actively enforcing the seat belt law.
Police Chief James S. Correa endorsed the campaign, saying: “The Police Department supports the ‘Click It or Ticket’ program. We feel it will increase seat belt use, reduce injuries caused by traffic accidents and save lives.”
State law mandates that all front seat occupants and occupants under 18 years of age, regardless of where they are sitting, must wear seat belts. In addition, children under 4 years of age must be properly restrained in a child restraint.
The fine for failure to comply with the law is $67 if paid before the scheduled court date. If paid on or after the scheduled court date, the fine increases to $92.
The seat belt campaign will be accompanied by a media blitz sponsored by the State Department of Transportation between May 13 and June 7, 2002.
Hawaii County’s seat belt compliance rate has been estimated at more than 86 percent, according to Sergeant Randy Apele, head of the Traffic Services Section. The Big Island’s goal this year is to attain a 90 percent compliance rate, Apele said.
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