Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Services Section
Torey D. Keltner, Program Manager
Phone: (808) 961-2305
Media Release
In response to national data that has shown a 10 percent increase in distracted driving since 2018, federal safety officials and Hawai‘i Police Department have launched a new driver safety campaign this month, intended to raise awareness about the risks associated with distracted driving, including attempting to use smartphones, text, drink, eat or engage in other activities while behind the wheel.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has declared April as Distracted Driver Awareness Month and the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) strongly supports this campaign.
Unfortunately, Hawai‘i Island drivers continue to use cell phones or other electronic devices while operating vehicles in our community. Hawai‘i Police Department reminds motorists that there is a $297 fine for driving while using a cellphone.
Any type of distracted driving is very dangerous and using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries. No text or phone call is worth losing a life or injuring yourself or others.
In the U.S. from 2012 to 2019, there were over 26,000 deaths linked to automobile accidents involving distracted drivers, according to the federal regulators. In 2019, 3,142 people died due to distracted driving. Driving distractions can include attempting to talk or text on a phone, engaging with other people in the vehicle, changing the stereo or entertainment system or consuming food and drinks while on the road.
Between April 8 and April 12, there will also be increased enforcement nationwide focused on driving distracted, to demonstrate a commitment to enforcing texting laws in a fair and equitable way. HPD always takes distracted driving seriously and in April will pay special attention to drivers using electronic devices as they travel. Do your part and don’t drive distracted. Remember “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”
