All four county police departments are stepping up enforcement of seat belt laws that require drivers and passengers in the front and back seats to buckle up.
The annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign began Monday and continues through May 25.
Hawaii’s universal seat belt law requires that all motor vehicle occupants buckle up. Children must use their seat belts and child restraints at all times.
The fine for unrestrained occupants on Oahu and Hawaii island, and in Maui County, is $102, and the fine on Kauai is $112, according to the state Department of Transportation.
From October 2013 to September, police cited 11,854 drivers in Hawaii for failure to use a seat belt. In addition, 1,573 drivers were issued citations for failure to secure a child under 8 years of age in their vehicles.
As of June, Hawaii had a seat belt usage rate of 94 percent, the same as the previous year.
"We’ve heard too many stories about senseless deaths that were the result of motor vehicle occupants being ejected from their vehicles," state Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami said. "The majority of those deaths could have been avoided if motor vehicle occupants simply remembered to wear their seat belts and restrain children in child safety seats."
Ocean View man ID’d as victim of fatal crash
Hawaii County police have identified the motorcycle passenger who died Saturday in a three-vehicle collision as 47-year-old Sean Henshaw of Ocean View.
Police said Henshaw and the operator of the motorcycle, Rick Dupont, 47, of Kailua-Kona, died of injuries sustained in the accident.
Police said a 23-year-old Honolulu woman driving south in a 2014 Nissan Altima shortly before 7:30 p.m. crossed the centerline of Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kona, sideswiped an oncoming Ford sedan and then collided head-on with an oncoming 2013 Honda CRF 250L motorcycle, which was driven by Dupont.
The driver of the Nissan Altima was transported to a hospital where she was treated and released. She was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and released pending further investigation.
Rain spurs delay of intersection work in Lihue
Roadwork on Kauai at the intersection of Ulu Maika and Kalepa streets near Kukui Grove Center was delayed Monday due to rainy weather.
Installation of new crosswalks, stop bars and directional arrows was rescheduled for Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.
During the work, only one-way traffic will be allowed on Ulu Maika Street, and one lane in each direction will be open on Kalepa Street, Kauai officials said.
Motorists are being asked to use alternate routes, follow all traffic control signs and allow extra time to reach destinations.
Questions can be directed to Destiny Nelson with Maryl Group at 937-9544.
