Hawai'i drivers are third-worst in the nation when it comes to their knowledge of basic road rules, according to a survey.

Local motorists posted a barely passing average score of 72 percent on the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, and a third failed the 20-question, multiple-choice exam that included actual questions from driver's licensing bureaus across the nation.

Hawai'i scores have continued a downward trend, dropping significantly in ranking the past three years, the report said. The state ranked 49th this year, 45th in 2008 and 23rd in 2007.

"It does surprise me," Honolulu Police Maj. Thomas Nitta said of the test results. "I think Hawai'i drivers are up to par — not terrible, but as good as everybody else. Some are more polite than on the Mainland, and that can be a problem."

The insurance company polled 5,183 licensed drivers, age 16 and up, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and found the national average for the test was 76.6 percent, with anything below 70 percent considered failing. New York drivers had the lowest average score, 70.5 percent, and New Jersey was at 71.5 percent, followed by Hawai'i.

Motorists from Idaho and Wisconsin tied for first, with an average score of 80.6 percent.

Hawai'i motorists are required to take a written test only once, at the time they apply for an instructional permit. License renewals require only an eye exam.

King Kekaulike High School sophomore Ryan Knutson of Maui passed the written exam in February, and was quick to recall rules requiring motorists to signal 100 feet ahead of making a turn and allow a safe following distance of three seconds.

"I think it is helpful to take the test. It keeps you safe and you remember everything you learn because you want to pass it on the first time and it stays with you," said Knutson, 15.

More than 20 years after taking the written test, Knutson's mother, Lisa, had a little harder time answering the GMAC test questions correctly. Still, she considers herself "a good driver" and said experience behind the wheel should count for something.

"I do talk on the phone and check my e-mail. I know what I'm supposed to do but sometimes I don't practice it," she said.

Nitta said cracking down on distracted drivers is an enforcement priority, with an impending Honolulu ban on the use of hand-held cell phones and other electronic devices while operating a vehicle that goes into effect July 1. The police major noted there are a lot of other things that can distract a driver.

"People, when they are operating a vehicle, must make the choice of driving rather than trying to do other things," he said.

EXPERIENCE HELPS

Many Hawai'i motorists also disregard speeding laws, Nitta said.

"One of the things drivers seem to forget is the speed rule. Whatever the speed limit is, that's the speed limit," he said.

Posted speed limits are based on the optimum speed for a particular road and take into account engineering and other safety factors for that location, according to Nitta.

He agreed that experience is important in making safe drivers. "It does work in your favor. It takes three to four years to gain experience to be a good driver, depending on your learning curve," Nitta said.

Overall, findings from the GMAC survey indicate the number of drivers who know basic road rules is decreasing, with this year's test scores lower than last year's — 76.6 percent vs. 78.1 percent. Applying the test results nationally, 20.1 percent of licen- sed drivers, or about 41 million motorists, wouldn't pass a written exam if taken today, the study said.

3-SECOND RULE

Nationally, only 15 percent of drivers knew the correct answer to what to do at a traffic light with a steady yellow signal — stop if it is safe to do so. Almost three of every four drivers couldn't identify a typical safe following distance to the car in front of them: three seconds.

However, 98 percent of the test takers knew what to do when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches (pull over to the right and stop), what to do to avoid hydroplaning (slow down in wet conditions) and the meaning of a solid yellow line (do not pass).

When comparing genders, men are still more likely to pass the test than women, (81 percent vs. 79 percent), and drivers 35 and older were most likely to pass.

The age group with the highest failure rate was young adults, ages 18 to 24.