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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

All Passengers in Automobiles Must Wear Seat Belts in Hawaii

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law a new traffic safety bill that requires all passengers riding in an automobile to wear seat belts. Previously, the law required that only occupants in the front seats and minors in the back seats had to wear seat belts or child safety seats. Adults previously had the option of not wearing a seat belt in the back seat. However, the newly amended law means that everyone, regardless of age or position in the car, must buckle up. Abercrombie stated, “This measure closes the gap in protecting all passengers riding in a motor vehicle.”
Governor Abercrombie also signed into law House Bill 980, which bans the use of all handheld electronic devices while driving in the State of Hawaii. Adults may use hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth headsets, but drivers under the age of 18 may not. Different counties around the state had different laws and terminology regarding the use of electronic devices. Abercrombie added, “While all counties have some form of a distracted driving ordinance in place, this measure establishes a state law that creates consistent requirements across all counties for the use of mobile electronic devices while driving and will simplify enforcement.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5-21-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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