97% in isles buckle up

UH statistics make the state the first in the nation to reach that mark

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Hawaii has become the first state or territory to hit the mark of 97 percent of drivers using seat belts, according to statistics collected by the University of Hawaii.

Rankings won't be available until states submit data to the federal government, but Hawaii has consistently ranked in the top 10 states and territories in recent years.

BY THE NUMBERS Seat belt usage percentages in Hawaii: 2007: 97.6 percent 2006: 92.5 percent 2005: 95.3 percent 2004: 95.1 percent 2003: 91.8 percent 2002: 90.4 percent 2001: 82.5 percent 2000: 80.4 percent 1999: 80.3 percent Source: State Department of Transportation

Last year, Hawaii ranked sixth with 92.5 percent usage, with Washington state first at 96.3 percent.

This year's data were collected by UH surveyors during the recent Click It or Ticket campaign.

"While our department goal was to reach 97 percent by 2007, to attain this level of seat-belt usage, nevertheless, is still a major achievement," said state Transportation Director Barry Fukunaga.

The seat-belt usage percentage has climbed steadily from 80.3 percent in 1999, except for last year when the figure dipped to 92.5 percent from 95.3 percent.

In another study, a physician-led traffic safety group also found Hawaii with the third lowest youth-related traffic fatality percentage in 2005.

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Hawaii has likely secured its first-place national ranking in buckle-up compliance, while youth-related traffic deaths have sunk to among the lowest in the country.

The state became the first ever to reach a 97 percent mark of seat belt usage since the Click It or Ticket safety campaign started during the 1990s. But federal officials won't provide a state-by-state ranking until later, when reports are filed.

Last year, Hawaii ranked sixth with 92.5 percent usage, and Washington led the country with 96.3 percent usage.

The University of Hawaii conducted a survey following May's Click It or Ticket campaign, aimed at enforcing seat belt laws.

In another study, a physician-led traffic safety group also found Hawaii with the third lowest youth-related traffic fatality percentage in 2005. In the previous year, Hawaii was the 10th worst state with youth fatalities, according to the Coalition to End Needless Death on Our Roadways (END).

"The numbers are great, but hopefully this translates to more people being safe on the road," said state transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa. "Wearing your seat belt increases your chances of surviving a crash by 45 percent."

Although the UH survey is not indicative of driver habits year-round, Ishikawa said another UH statewide poll showed seat belt usage at 95 percent. "Hawaii has been pretty much up there year-round," he said. "I think part of it obviously is the $92 fine."

There were also fewer seat belt citations this year in the campaign period of May 21 to June 3 than last year. Last year had 3,337 citations statewide, compared to this year's 2,793.

"So you can see the correlation there," Ishikawa said. "When seat belt usage dipped last year, the number of tickets went up."

In general, graduated driver's license laws contribute to lowering youth-related deaths, said Dr. Andrea Barthwell, END co-chairwoman.

Hawaii had 33 fatalities involving 16- to 20-year-olds in 2004, a toll that prompted lawmakers to pass a graduated driver's license law in 2005.

In 2005, Hawaii saw 16 traffic fatalities involving that age group, but the graduated driver's license law didn't go into effect until January 2006. Traffic fatality figures in 2006 specific to youths were not available yesterday.

The graduated license law places restrictions on teen driving, including not allowing drivers under 18 to drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless with a parent or guardian with a license.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls motor vehicle crashes the No. 1 killer of people ages 15 to 20.

"Hopefully with the new law, we'll start seeing results in the next couple of years," Ishikawa said. "So now you don't have too many kids in one car driving at night. During that year, there were a lot of accidents with kids in one vehicle."