Maui Police Campaign Nets 3,779 Citations, 769 for Distracted Driving

Distracted Driver campaign. Photo credit: Maui Police Department.

Members of the Maui Police Department’s Traffic Section with the assistance from patrol officers, conducted a month long operation targeting Distracted Drivers from April 1 –30, 2016. The Maui Police Department participated in the National “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” Campaign. Officers were assigned to look for and cite drivers who were using mobile electronic devices on public roadways, including school and construction areas. Although the national campaign lasted for two weeks. Officers continued their enforcement effort for the entire month of April.

The primary goal of the operation was to make the roadways of Maui County safer by reducing the number of collisions caused by distracted drivers.

During the one month of enforcement, Officers issued a total of 3,779 citations. Of those, 769 citations were for Mobile Electronic Device Violations (Distracted Driving), 23 were issued to School or Construction Zones. Other citations included are, Speeding 341, Seatbelt 180 and other violations totaling to 2,466.

As is often the case when making traffic stops, investigations by Officers resulted in the discovery of other crimes committed. During the one month period, Officers assigned to the enforcement detail made arrests for 1 misdemeanor offense, 1 Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant offense and 6 outstanding warrants. While the national campaign ends this month, enforcement of distracted driving along with other offenses such as speeding and seatbelt violations will continue. Those caught using a mobile electronic device while driving face fines starting at $297. For those caught using their cellphones in school or construction zones the fine goes up to $347.