Hawaii ranked number one in the nation for seat belt use in 2019, according to recently released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Hawaii was the only state to reach the 97th percentile, with a seat belt usage rate of 97.1 percent.

Twenty-six states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands had seat belt use rates of 90 percent or higher.

“Our high usage rate demonstrates Hawaii residents understand the importance of buckling up,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Highways Deputy Director Ed Sniffen. “Let’s keep it up and pass on the message to buckle up every trip, every time.”

The State DOT provided an update on Hawaii’s seat belt and child passenger restraint laws:

Know Hawaii’s Seat Belt Laws

• Hawaii’s universal seat belt law requires that all front and back seat motor vehicle occupants buckle up. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child passenger restraints at all times. The fine for unrestrained occupants on Oahu, Hawaii and Maui is $102, and the fine on Kauai is $112. Drivers will receive one citation for each unrestrained occupant in the vehicle.
• Hawaii’s child passenger restraint law requires children younger than 4 years of age to ride in a child safety seat. Children 4 through 7 years old must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat. Violators of the child restraint law are required to appear in court; and if convicted, are required to attend a four-hour class and may be assessed a penalty of $100 to $500.

All fees from motor vehicle violations, including the seat belt laws, go to the State, not to the counties.