Attitude, age and distraction

Key points

1. If you are worried, ill, nervous, frightened, angry or depressed, let someone else drive.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “If worried, ill, nervous, frightened, angry or depressed, let someone else drive.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

2. Drivers under 20 have about twice as many crashes as expected for their numbers.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “the youngest drivers (under age 20) have about twice as many crashes as would be expected for the number of drivers in this group.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

3. Drivers about 50 to 54 years old have the fewest crashes of any age group.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “As driver age increases they continue to have fewer crashes until about 50 to 54 years of age. These drivers have the least number of crashes of any age group.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

4. Resist the urge to show off or compete; it only shows inexperience and immaturity.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Resisting the desire to exhibit and compete. Such activity only serves as an indication of your inexperience and immaturity.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

5. Even with hands free equipment, a phone call takes your attention from driving and makes you less likely to notice danger.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Even with “hands free” equipment, talking on a phone or radio take your attention away from driving and can cause you to be less likely to notice a dangerous situation.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 59

6. Do not drive with headsets or earphones in both ears; they make it too hard to hear sirens.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Do not drive with headsets or earphones that cover or go in both ears. They make it too hard to hear emergency horns or sirens.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 59

7. If you need to read a map or directions, pull over in a safe place first.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “If you need to read a map or directions, pull over to the side of the road in a safe place.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58

8. Pets should not ride in the driver's lap; a carrier is the safest place.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Pets can be distracting and should not ride in the driver's lap. A carrier is the safest place.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 59

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Hawaii practice test

1. 1. Which age group has the fewest crashes in Hawaii's statistics?

   1. Drivers under 20
   2. Drivers over 75
   3. Drivers about 50 to 54 years of age
   4. Drivers 25 to 30
   Show answer

   Drivers about 50 to 54 years of age. Hawaii's crash statistics show the youngest drivers, under age 20, have about twice as many crashes as expected for their numbers, crashes then decline with age until about 50 to 54, the group with the least crashes, and starting at age 55 crashes occur more frequently again. Drivers over 75 have more crashes but still fewer than drivers under 25.

2. 2. How do drivers under 20 compare in Hawaii's crash statistics?

   1. They have the fewest crashes
   2. They have about twice as many crashes as expected for their number of drivers
   3. They crash at the same rate as everyone
   4. They crash half as often
   Show answer

   They have about twice as many crashes as expected for their number of drivers. The statistics show that the youngest drivers, under age 20, have about twice as many crashes as would be expected for the number of drivers in the group, which is why Hawaii uses a graduated system of instruction permit, provisional license and class 3 license. Crashes fall with age until the mid fifties, then rise again as reaction time slows.

3. 3. Why should a driver avoid talking on a cell phone while driving, even with hands-free equipment?

   1. The phone always disables the headlights
   2. Hands-free equipment blocks the brake pedal
   3. The conversation diverts attention from driving
   4. A call makes every road surface slippery
   Show answer

   The conversation diverts attention from driving. The manual describes cell phone conversation as distracting because attention is directed toward the conversation instead of driving. It says hands-free equipment does not remove that mental distraction and can make a driver less likely to notice a dangerous situation. The brake pedal and headlights are unrelated mechanical claims, and a call does not change the road surface. If a call is necessary, pull to the side of the road in a safe place and remain stopped until finished. The practical cue is attention: if the conversation competes with scanning traffic, stop before continuing it.

Source: the Hawaii Driver's Manual, Chapter IV: The Driver. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.