Despite an increase of $200 for a fine for driving while on a cellphone, it seems Big Island motorists still are using electronic devices while navigating local roadways.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, there have been 824 citations issued so far this year for use of a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle.
A new state law banning the use of cellphones and other mobile devices while driving took effect in July. Under the law, drivers receiving citations no longer were required to make a mandatory court appearance, but would instead incur a hefty fine of $297. The fine previously was $97.
Prior to the state law, a ban on using electronic devices while driving was enacted in 2010 in Hawaii County.
Hawaii Police Department Acting Sgt. Justin Hooser said the 824 citations issued so far this year does not necessarily reflect the amount of drivers breaking the law.
“A lot of people get away. There are a lot of drivers that aren’t caught,” he said.
Hooser said it’s definitely an issue, as many people can be seen talking, texting and looking at cellphones while driving.
“I believe it’s never going to go away until the laws get strict enough and there’s a penalty severe enough to deter people from breaking the law,” he said.
Hooser said talking on a cellphone while driving is dangerous and can cause accidents — from minor fender-benders to fatalities. Sometimes, police might have difficulty in deciphering whether a driver was on a cellphone prior to an accident, he said, but other times it’s more obvious, such as when a phone is located near the motorist. Hooser said police might even decide to subpoena a driver’s electronic device records if cellphone usage is suspected to be a factor in a crash.
“We want to see if that was a factor in the collision,” he said.
Hooser said he thinks cellphone usage while operating a vehicle became more of an issue in the last few years, when texting became more popular than calling someone, and when smartphones came into the picture.
“That’s when texting became an issue,” he said.
Under the law, hands-free cellphone devices such as a Bluetooth headset are allowed if the driver is older than 18. Anyone younger than 18 is restricted from using such devices while driving.
Hooser said while Bluetooth devices are legal for drivers 18 and older, he doesn’t recommend them and instead cautions Hawaii Island drivers to put the phone down and keep their eyes on the road.
“Be safe behind a wheel of a car and pay attention,” he said.
He also recommends drivers forward their calls before starting their commute, that way they’re not tempted or distracted when they hit the road.
He said the issue is more prevalent for younger drivers, and he offers a word of caution to them during this graduation season to be safe and not use their phones while driving.
Email Megan Moseley at mmoseley@westhawaiitoday.com.
