As the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Click It or Ticket campaign enters its final week, officers say the program has netted hundreds of seat belt scofflaws. But police said it’s not the money in the coffers that makes a difference, but
As the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Click It or Ticket campaign enters its final week, officers say the program has netted hundreds of seat belt scofflaws.
But police said it’s not the money in the coffers that makes a difference, but the opportunity to change someone’s habits to save his or her life.
Kaua‘i police have issued an average of 150 to 250 tickets per week throughout the month-long campaign, which is scheduled to end Monday, June 6.
“So far, so good,” said KPD Traffic Safety Unit Sgt. Joseph Kaauwai, adding that “enforcement areas” which do not block traffic have been set up islandwide to catch those without seat belts, no or improper child restraints, or having too many folks in the beds of pickup trucks.
And, expect more Click It or Ticket stations throughout the week, Kaauwai said.
With seat-belt violations at $92, it’s quite a bite out of one’s wallet to not strap in, but it’s the lives that can be saved that makes the campaign so worthwhile, he said.
“We have found that most of our traffic fatalities have (not) been using seat belts,” Kaauwai said. “We found that if they had been wearing (them), they would not have died.”
Drivers with people in the bed of their pickup trucks should take notice as well. Anyone with people in the bed of the truck and an unused seat belt in the cab also face $87 fines, police officials said.
Parents and those driving with small children also face a mandatory trip to court if their child under age 4 is not using an approved child-restraint seat. Anyone with questions on whether or not their child seat is certified, and whether or not it is properly installed, may get free examinations at any American Medial Response ambulance station, police said.
