Hawaii cell phone law takes effect July 1st

Hawaii has a new law for cell phones and other hand-held devices taking effect on July 1st, 2009.  
The law only applies to Oahu and bans "hand-held mobile electronic devices" while driving. "Hands-free" devices will be allowed.

The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) will ticket drivers observed violating the new law. Major Thomas Nitta, commander of the HPD's traffic division, said officers will ticket drivers caught with electronic devices in their hands while driving. It will then be up to the drivers to prove to a judge that they should not have gotten a ticket.

The fine is $67 for a first offense.  There is no grace period, so be aware that starting on July 1st you can get a ticket for something that many Oahu drivers do daily! 

HPD defines a mobile electronic device as "any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing wireless and/or data communication between two or more persons or of providing amusement, including but not limited to a cellular phone, text messaging device, paging device, personal digital assistant, laptop computer, video game, or digital photographic device."   The law does not prohibit the use of audio equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the purposes of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator of the motor vehicle, or video entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats of a motor vehicle. Use is considered any time you have a device in your hand.  Calls to 911 are exempted.

Be a safe driver and don't get a ticket!  Plug in that headset and don't dial the phone while you're driving.

Aloha, Mike Bates

Hawaii homes for sale

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