Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Services Section
Sergeant Robert Pauole
Phone: 961-2305
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island police are informing the public that the enforcement period for the National “Click It or Ticket” campaign starts today (May 18) and runs through June 1. During this period, police will increase island wide enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws.
Under a law signed on May 20, 2013, the driver now is responsible for all other occupants of the vehicle. If the driver is stopped and any passenger is not using a seat belt, car seat, or booster seat—whether in the front seat or back seat— the driver will be the one cited.
Police will enforce child passenger restraint laws and will ticket drivers if children under the age of four are not properly restrained in a child safety seat—or in a booster seat until age 7. Child restraint and booster seat violators must go to court. They face a fine of $100-$500 (depending upon the number of offenses) and must attend a mandatory four-hour class.
National statistics have shown that the use of seat belts is the single most effective step drivers and passengers can take to protect themselves in a traffic crash.