DUI/DWI News

State Dot Promotes Youth Traffic Safety

HONOLULU — With the summer in full swing and the 4th of July holiday weekend approaching, the state Department of Transportation continues to emphasize its traffic programs for the safety of Hawaii’s youth.

Graduated Licensing Program. Effective January 1, 2006, the three-stage graduated licensing program is for drivers under the age of 18. It provides beginning drivers with a chance to develop their driving skills over time as they gain experience and maturity.

 “Click It or Ticket”. This campaign resulted in more than 3,000 seatbelt citations being issued by Hawaii’s four county police departments over a three-week period. Hawaii was ranked number one in the nation last year in seatbelt usage at 95.3 percent.

“The safety programs we have are part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s initiative to increase traffic safety,” said state Department of Transportation director Rodney Haraga. “We’re especially focused on promoting safe driving among Hawaii’s teens.”

A recent national survey ranked Hawaii as tenth in the nation for youth-related driving fatalities. The analysis compared 1994 and 2004 data based on motor-vehicle fatalities involving 16-20 year old drivers.

“A comparison of more recent years, 1995 and 2005, shows an actual decrease of 7.2 percent of youth-related traffic fatalities,” said Director Haraga.  “The national report released today represents merely a snapshot of what took place on our roads in 2004 compared to 1994.”

“We are also partnering with law enforcement and community organizations to reduce the prevalence of underage drinking, which contributes to the number of accidents involving our youth,” added Director Haraga.

The Administration also recently enacted new laws that focus on underage drinking. Earlier this month, Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., signed into law three bills to reduce drunk driving and underage drinking. The bills would increase the penalties for those who operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .15 or higher, strengthen underage drinking enforcement, and suspend the driving privileges of any person under 21 who illegally purchases, possesses or consumes alcohol.

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	Did You Know?
	Implied Consent is a factor in DUI for some states Delaware has an "implied consent" law. That means if you drive in Delaware and are suspected of DUI, you voluntarily agree to a chemical test to determine the degree of impairment. Failure to take the test carries a penalty of loss of license and/or driving privileges for a period of one year for a 1st offense, 18 months for a 2nd offense and 24 months for the 3rd subsequent offense, in addition to the penalties for DUI.