A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
In a crash, the car stops but your body keeps going until something stops it. A belt ties you to the car so you slow down with it. Hawaii requires belts for everyone, front and back, and special seats for young children.
Know the rule
All front and back seat occupants are required by law (291-11.6, HRS) to use seat belts.
In a 30 mph crash the car crushes and takes 1/10 second to stop. An unbelted person keeps moving at 30 mph and, 1/50 second after the car stops, slams into the dashboard and windshield, stopping in only 1/100 second: the human collision. Belted people ride down the crash with the car.
Car seat do's and don'ts:
Never carry a baby in your arms
Keep the harness snug and the seat belt tight on the car seat
Don't wrap the baby in a blanket under the harness – buckle the harness, then fold the blanket over
You'll only be in the store for ten minutes, and your 6-year-old is asleep in the back. Take the child with you: leaving a child under nine unattended for five minutes or longer is against Hawaii law.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Under Hawaii law (291-11.6, HRS), which vehicle occupants must use seat belts?
Only the driver
Only front seat occupants
All front and back seat occupants
Only the driver and occupants under age 18
Answer: All front and back seat occupants
All front and back seat occupants are required by law to use seat belts.