By Staff Reports

(LĪHU’E) – As students head back to school, Kaua‘i police will be stepping up traffic enforcement at all school zones islandwide starting today. The State of Hawai‘i has also declared the month of August as Pedestrian Safety Month. Government agencies and police departments have teamed up with businesses and non-profit organizations across the state to raise driver awareness of pedestrians, and to encourage safe pedestrian behaviors.

“We want our students to have a safe and successful school year, and that starts with getting our children to and from school safely,” states Assistant Chief of the Patrol Service Bureau Roy Asher. “To help in this effort, we are notifying the public that officers will be enforcing Hawai‘i’s safe driving laws, particularly around our schools.”

KPD takes this opportunity to remind motorists of the following state traffic laws:

• HRS291-11.5 and 11.6: All motor vehicle operators and passengers must wear a seatbelt, or face a fine of up to $100. Persons operating a motor vehicle must ensure that a child under four years of age is properly restrained in a child passenger restraint system. A child between four and eight years old must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster, unless he or she is over four feet nine inches tall or over 40 pounds. Those found in violation of this law could face a fine of up to $112 and will be required by the court to attend a child passenger restraint safety course.
• HRS291c-104: Speeding in a school or construction zone is prohibited. Speed limits in these areas are enforced 24/7, not just during school or construction hours. Violators could pay up to $422 in fines.
• HRS291c-137a,c: No person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, and no person under 18 years of age shall operate a motor vehicle while using a hands-free mobile electronic device, except for the sole purpose of making a “911” emergency call. If a person violates this section in a school or construction zone, the fines impose shall be doubled, resulting in fines of up to $357.

“All motorists and pedestrians have a responsibility to exercise safe practices while on the road, to help keep each other and our keiki safe,” added Assistant Chief Asher.

For traffic and pedestrian safety tips, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at www.nhtsa.gov.