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HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION SERGEANT DEXTER VERIATO PHONE: 961-2305 May 9, 2007 MEDIA RELEASE Big Island Police are warning residents that the annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign for 2007 has begun. Sergeant Dexter Veriato, head of the Traffic Services Section, said there will be roving patrols and seat belt enforcement checkpoints set up throughout the big Island. In addition, there will be media spots and message boards set up along our highways. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign urging awareness and usage of seat belts. "Although this campaign is from May 21 to June 3, 2007, seat belt and child restraint citations are issued year round" Veriato said. During the twelve month peiod of last year, police issued 4,099 seat belt citations and 2'7 child restraint citations. In 2006, there were 33 fatal crashes on the Big Island, resulting in 39 deaths. Thirteen of those occupants were not restrained. "The survival rate of wearing your seat belt in a crash like that is almost 50%" noted Sergeant Veriato. "At least half of those lives could have been saved, we need the public's help." According to the last statewide survey, the County of Hawaii's seat belt usage rate was 94.2%, slightly lower than the state's average. The same survey found that occupant and toddler restraint use was significantly lower. Police will enforce child passenger restraint laws and ticket drivers if children under the age of four are not properly restrained in a child safety seat or in a booster seat until age seven. Drivers and front seat passengers will also be cited. Hawaii's seat belt law requires those riding in the front seat to use their seat belts and those 17 and under to wear their seat belts ~,i the back seat also. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $92. Child restraint and booster seat violators must go to court and face a fine between $100-$500, and must attend a four hour class.