395 Citations Issued During Maui Click It or Ticket Campaign

Click it or Ticket, seat belt enforcement. Maui Now graphic.

By Wendy Osher

A total of 395 citations were issued by Maui police during the two week Click it or Ticket national seat belt enforcement campaign that ran from May 19 to June 1, 2014.

According to data released by police, 351 seat belt citations were issued to motorists who were operating a vehicle without being properly secured themselves.

An additional 7 citations were issued to motorists who had a passenger in their vehicle that was not wearing a seat belt; and 37 citations were issued to motorists for child restraint violations.

Traffic Section Commander Lieutenant William Hankins compiled the report saying “enforcement efforts to address issues highlighted at town hall meetings such as speeding, distracted driver, and drunken driving will continue throughout the year.”

“With the summer holiday season beginning,” Hankins said, “the officers of the Maui Police Department will continue to actively enforce all traffic laws in an effort to gain voluntary compliance from the public. The ultimate goal is to save lives and make the roadways as safe as possible for everyone.”

The fine for a seat belt violation is $102 on Maui, plus a mandatory court appearance for all child restraint violations.

Transportation officials say 14,542 drivers in Hawaiʻi were cited for seat belt violations last year, and an additional 2,206 drivers were cited for child restraint violations. At last check, Hawaiʻi’s seat belt usage rate was 93% in June of 2012, down 4% from the previous year.