Buckle-Up Campaign Running Through June 1

Big Island police are reminding the public that under a 2013 law, drivers are now responsible for everyone in their car buckling up.

Drivers should be particularly mindful of that considering enforcement of seat-belt and child-restraint laws has been increased because of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign that got underway Monday.

The campaign, which runs through June 1, serves to remind the public that buckling up is the single most effective step drivers and passengers can take to protect themselves in a traffic crash.

Under the 2013 law, any passenger not using a seat belt, car seat or booster seat, regardless if they are in the front or back seat, will result in a ticket for the driver.

On the Big Island, the fine for unrestrained vehicle occupants is $102.

State transportation officials note that of all Hawaii victims of motor vehicle fatalities in 2011, only 37.5% were properly restrained.

“People get into car wrecks for a lot of reasons, but they die as a result because they aren’t wearing their seat belts,” said John Moffat, regional administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.