HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii lawmakers could change the penalty for using your phone while driving.
Hawaii currently prohibits any driver from using a mobile device or electronic device unless the sole purpose is to make a 911 call. In addition, persons under the age of 18 are also not permitted to drive a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic hands-free device.
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HB1692 was introduced by Rep. Henry JC Aquino (D) Waipahu, and he said that anyone violating it will be fined, which should be paid into the State Highway Fund. If a person breaks the regulation while driving in a school or construction area, the fine will be paid to the finance director.
“The author has asked that we keep the bill moving with blank amounts, and the Chairman’s recommendation is that we delay it,” said Rep. Mark Nakashima, who also chairs the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.
Rep. Nakashima said Rep. Aquino would work with the Finance Committee on an amount, currently a subpoena using a mobile device costs $297, and if you’re caught using a mobile device at a school or construction site, a subpoena costs $347 .
“It still doesn’t stop people from using their device, so I’m not sure if a higher fine would be enough,” said Acting Major James Slayter of the Honolulu Police Department’s Transportation Division.
According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), they existed 14 fatal accidents involving distracted drivers in 2020 that jumped to 27 the following year.
“In 2019, 34.3% of fatal accidents in Hawaii were due to distracted driving,” said Jai Cunningham, spokesman for HDOT. “So folks who might have been on the phone, if you think about it, that’s an awfully large number because that’s very easily prevented.”
Slayter said distracted driving includes other things like eating, drinking, applying makeup or doing your hair – anything that takes your eyes off the road. He added that HPD has issued more than 13,000 citations over the past three years.
“I know for a fact that officers issue a lot more warnings than subpoenas, so you can easily triple that number,” Slayter said.
He explained that maybe if there was a higher penalty, such as a fine, people would take it seriously. B. Loss of driver’s license for a period of time after multiple offenses over a period of time.
“I guess instead of fines maybe more of a cumulative thing, I mean it’s not something we have going on locally, but you know I’m open to all sorts of different ideas. To me, that’s something we need to fix,” Slayter explained.
He said that in his years in vehicular homicide he had seen many accidents that would have been prevented had it not been for alcohol or distracted driving.
“There have been many instances where the phone was still in the hands of the deceased at the time of the crash. I’ve had one where the person actually did a TikTok while driving, I’ve had a pedestrian who did a TikTok in the street and they’re just sad, really tragic incidents that could easily have been prevented.”
James Slayter, Acting Major, Honolulu Police Department’s Transportation Department
In Honolulu, it is illegal for pedestrians to cross the street while using a mobile or electronic device.
On Thursday, February 3, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth urged residents to adopt safe driving practices after 18 serious traffic accidents, including two fatal accidents, that occurred in a single week from January 24-31 .
One of the fatal accidents killed three people, and police believe inattention and speed are possible factors in the crash.
According to the Hawaii Island Police Department, there were four fatal collisions in January that killed six people. This contrasts with three fatal collisions that resulted in three deaths last year, 2021. Fatal collisions are 33.3% and fatalities are a 100% increase.
“We ask our residents to drive with aloha and great vigilance to ensure everyone gets home safely to their families and loved ones. It is incredibly sad to know that better practices on our roads could have saved the lives of six members of our community over the past week. Our administration sends our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and asks the community to think of them, remember them and ultimately honor them by obeying the rules of the road. These types of traffic accidents are preventable and can be limited by being alert, aware and aware of ourselves, the roads and each other. Together we can make our streets a safer place for everyone.”
Mitch Roth, Mayor of Hawaii County
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“Each fatal traffic accident on the island of Hawaii is a tragedy that affects the families of the victims forever.
Friends and our community,” said Paul Ferreira, Hawaii County Police Commissioner. “The Hawaii Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to reducing these unnecessary deaths through traffic enforcement, outreach and education. We need everyone to contribute. There is no excuse for dangerous driving.”
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