Two new laws go into effect tomorrow aimed at curbing speeding and reducing child injuries in accidents. In the first, drivers found driving in excess of 30 mph over the posted speed limit or faster than 80 mph no matter
Two new laws go into effect tomorrow aimed at curbing speeding and reducing child injuries in accidents.
In the first, drivers found driving in excess of 30 mph over the posted speed limit or faster than 80 mph no matter what the posted limit could bring fines of $500 to $1,000 to first-time offenders, plus a 30-day suspended license, 36 hours of community service or two to five days in jail.
Second- and third-time offenders face stiffer penalties, up to a one-year suspended license and 10 to 30 days in jail.
The state’s new child passenger restraint law mandates that children age 4 to 7 must ride in a child safety or booster seat when traveling in a motor vehicle, unless the child is taller than 4 feet, 9 inches, or the vehicle only has lap belts in the rear seats.
Violators will be required to attend a four-hour class and could be fined up to $500, depending on the number of offenses.
According to the state Department of Transportation, 700 children between the ages of 4 and 7 are involved in major car crashes in Hawai‘i each year, and those restrained by seatbelts instead of safety or booster seats are at least 50 percent more at risk for serious injury.
The State of Hawai‘i offers a tax credit of $25 per year to the purchase of a child safety or booster seat.
