KPD to crack down on distracted drivers

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department on Wednesday received the Kaua‘i County Council’s approval to apply, accept and expend $28,000 in funds from a state grant to help curb the use of mobile electronic devices while driving.

Ordinance 892 went into effect May 23 on Kaua‘i, prohibiting the use of cell phones and most electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

KPD plans to use the state Highway Safety Project Grant to fund law enforcement overtime and a public education campaign. County spokeswoman Beth Tokioka said the efforts will be headed by Lt. Mark Scribner of the Traffic Safety Unit.

Scribner said KPD will be offering a public relations effort to better inform the public about the consequences of distracted driving.

“The public may be unaware that they can be issued a ticket for talking on their cell phone without a hands-free device even if they are idling on the side of the road,” Scribner said.

The ordinance may sound confusing because it states that “‘operating a motor-vehicle’ means to drive or assume actual physical control of a vehicle upon a public way, street, road or highway,” he said.

But the county is saying that if a driver wants to make or answer a call, he or she has to pull completely off the road, in a safe area with a wide shoulder, and turn the engine off.

The law excludes two-way radios when used for business purposes, but using devices such as digital cameras, mp3 players, video games, laptops, PDAs and pagers were banned along with cell phone usage.

If a driver uses his or her hands to change playlists or adjust the volume of mp3 players or to view photographs, a violation may occur. Passengers are allowed to use the devices.

“A better informed public coupled with consistent enforcement will make our roadways safer for all,” Scribner said.

Visit www.kauai.gov for a copy of the ordinance and more information.