"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," state transportation director Barry Fukunaga said in a news release issued this morning.

"More importantly, we hope it translates to more lives being saved in the event of an accident. We would like to thank the public, all four county police departments, and our other partners involved in this year's seat belt campaign."

Hawai'i's seat belt use had dipped to 92.5 percent last year from 95.3 percent in 2005.

The national average last year was 81 percent. A state-by-state ranking for seat belt usage will be released later this year after all of the states submit their data.

The University of Hawai'i conducted a survey following the Click It or Ticket campaign to monitor statewide and county seat belt use. According to that survey, Kaua'i County was at 98.3 percent; O'ahu, 98 percent; Hawai'i County, 97.4 percent; and Maui County, 95.7 percent.

Hawai'i's four county police departments issued 2,793 seat belt violation citations during this summer's "Click It Or Ticket" (CIOT) campaign.

This year's seat belt enforcement campaign ran from May 21 to June 3.

During last year's campaign, police statewide issued 3,337 seat belt tickets. Statewide, an additional 170 citations were also issued for child-restraint safety violations.

National statistics have shown that the use of seat belts is the single most effective act that drivers can do to protect themselves in a traffic crash.

Hawaii's current seat belt laws require buckling up of all front-seat occupants, as well as passengers in the back seat under 18. Seat belt violators will be assessed a $92 fine. State law also requires children under age 4 to ride in a child safety seat. A new law requires children between ages 4 and 7 to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat in the backseat of a vehicle.

The Click It or Ticket campaign combines the efforts of the state departments of Transportation, Health and Education; the four county police departments representing Honolulu, Kaua'i, Hawai'i and Maui counties; University of Hawai'i; the Federal Highway Administration; the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association; local business and religious leaders; and Safe Community coalitions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, oversaw and funded the national campaign.