A bill that would increase the fine for using a mobile device while driving cleared its first Senate committee Tuesday after crossing over from the House.
Currently, individuals caught using their mobile phone without the benefit of a hands free device are subject to a $250 fine that is deposited into the state highway fund. An amendment to the bill made Tuesday would set a higher fine if the offense occurs in a construction or school zone, setting aside the money for the Safe Drive to School fund.
The Senate Committee on Transportation then adopted the bill with a 5-0 vote, leaving the dollar amount increase to be determined at during its next hearing before a joint Committee on Judiciary and Ways and Means.
The Department of Transportation was the sole testifier, stating in writing that Fatality Analysis Reporting System statistics indicate that 23.1% of Hawaii’s 108 traffic fatalities involved distracted drivers in 2019.
“Although preliminary state data shows a decrease for 2020, 16.5% of Hawaii’s 85 traffic fatalities involved distracted drivers,” the state department’s testimony stated. “The fines imposed for mobile electronic device violations serve as an important deterrent against cell phone use while driving, thereby reducing the number of motor vehicle fatalities and injuries in Hawaii.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 3,142 people were killed in 2019 by distracted drivers.
Twenty-four states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. Oregon has the highest fines for a first offense, up to $1,000.
The Big Island’s ban on handheld cell phone use went into effect Jan. 1, 2010.
No state bans all cellphone use for all drivers, but 37 states and D.C. ban all cellphone use by novice drivers, and 23 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but three have primary enforcement. Of the two states without an all-driver texting ban, one prohibits text messaging by novice drivers.
House Bill 1692 next needs to pass reading in the full Senate before heading to a joint Committee on Judiciary and Ways and Means to remain alive this session.
A hearing date had not been set as of press-time Tuesday.
