Don’t Drive and Surf or Text on Your Phone

In Hawaiʻi, driving is more than just moving from one place to another. Our roads are shared spaces of trust, respect, and responsibility. Every driver carries not only their own life, but the lives of kupuna, keiki, visitors, cyclists, and pedestrians. One of the most dangerous habits threatening that shared trust today is driving while surfing or texting on a phone.

Many people underestimate how dangerous this behavior really is. Looking at your phone for just 5 seconds while driving at 55 mph is the same as traveling the length of a football field blindfolded. On Hawaiʻi’s roads—often narrow, winding, wet, and unpredictable—that moment of distraction can be fatal.

When you text or scroll, your brain shifts away from driving. This is called cognitive distraction. Even if your eyes return to the road, your mind lags behind. Reaction times slow, hazard detection drops, and decision-making weakens. You don’t brake as fast. You don’t see that pedestrian. You don’t notice that car stopping ahead. By the time you realize what’s happening, it’s often too late.

Surfing or texting while driving is especially dangerous in Hawaiʻi because of our unique conditions. Sudden rain showers make roads slick. Wildlife and pets cross unexpectedly. Tourists stop suddenly, unsure where to turn. Local roads often lack shoulders, lighting, or clear signage. A single second of distraction can turn a normal drive into a tragedy.

There is also a deep emotional cost. Many crashes caused by phone distraction don’t just injure the driver—they devastate families and entire communities. Parents lose children. Children lose parents. Friends lose friends. And the driver who looked at their phone must live forever with the knowledge that it was preventable.

Some people say, “I can multitask.” The truth is, the human brain cannot safely multitask while driving. What we call multitasking is actually rapid task-switching, and every switch costs attention. No message, video, or notification is worth a life. Nothing on a screen is more important than the person in front of you on the road.

Driving with aloha means choosing care over convenience. It means putting the phone away before starting the engine. It means pulling over if something truly cannot wait. It means respecting that driving is a responsibility, not a background activity.

If you’re expecting an important call or message, plan ahead. Use “Do Not Disturb While Driving.” Let others know you’ll respond when you arrive safely. These small choices save lives.

Hawaiʻi is a place of beauty, family, and connection. Let’s protect that spirit on our roads. Drive present. Drive alert. Drive with aloha.

Don’t drive and surf or text. Arrive alive. 🌺🚗📵

Disclaimer ::: This article is intended for public awareness and educational purposes only. The content shared reflects general safety information and community values and is not a substitute for professional, legal, or medical advice. Any illustrations, humor, or caricatures used are meant to raise awareness and do not represent real individuals or specific incidents. Always follow Hawaiʻi State traffic laws and prioritize safe, attentive driving at all times.

DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE