Question: Is it considered distracted driving in Hawaii for a driver to be drinking a soda or eating a cookie while driving? Is it against the law to use a hand-held GPS (Global Positioning System) device while driving?

Answer: There is no law that specifically prohibits eating while driving, according to Maj. Darren Izumo of the Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division.

"However, for the safety of drivers and those around them, drivers should abstain from any activity that takes their attention away from the road," he said. "This includes eating food, drinking soft drinks, applying makeup and reading."

In fact, if the person who’s drinking soda or eating a cookie while driving gets into a collision, Izumo said he/she could be cited under Section 291-12 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, dealing with "inattention to driving."

That law states, "Whoever operates any vehicle without due care or in a manner as to cause a collision with, or injury or damage to, as the case may be, any person, vehicle or other property shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both, and may be subject to a surcharge of up to $100 which shall be deposited into the trauma system special fund."

Meanwhile, it is legal to use navigational equipment installed in a vehicle, but hand-held GPS devices are prohibited, Izumo said.

Honolulu’s "distracted driving law" — Section 15-24.23 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu — prohibits driving while "using" a hand-held mobile electronic device such as a cellphone, text messaging device, paging device, personal digital assistant, laptop computer, video game or digital photographic device.

But it does not include any audio or other equipment installed in a motor vehicle to provide navigation, emergency assistance to the driver or video entertainment to passengers in the rear seats.

"Note that most built-in factory nonvoice command GPS systems don’t allow you to use the system unless the vehicle is in park," Izumo said. "And, most aftermarket systems require you to press an acknowledgment that you won’t use it while the vehicle is in motion."

Question: Regarding Hawaii’s distracted-driving law: What about the new Apple Watch? Is it going to be an issue here?

Answer: Apple’s new smartwatch, which won’t be released until April 24, is designed to "communicate in new ways right from your wrist," including answering calls to the iPhone.

Because it’s a watch to be worn on your wrist, there’s no prohibition against using it while driving.

"The watch would be allowable since it is worn, not held," said HPD Maj. Darren Izumo.

However, as he points out above, any device that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road should be used with caution.

Mahalo

To a very nice lady at the state Department of Transportation. A few weeks ago I called the DOT to report a problem with the traffic signal coordination on Kalanianaole Highway, westbound. Traffic on Saturday mornings, around 11 a.m., was really bad and would back up to Aina Haina. I talked to the nice lady who informed me I had called the wrong department but would try to help me. I told her that it might be the traffic light at Ainakoa just before getting on the freeway, westbound. She asked questions, took notes and told me she would send an email to the traffic engineers for me. The first Saturday after our conversation, the traffic was fantastic! I wondered if this was a fluke, but the ensuing Saturdays have been a pleasure. Thank you so much for your help and patience. You are a wonderful person! — Frank from Hawaii Kai

Mahalo

To the gentleman who got help from Shirokiya, the couple who called security and the woman who helped me get up after I tripped on the footing of a construction sign at Ala Moana Center recently. I am OK thanks to you all. Your kindness is greatly appreciated!

— Grateful Senior

Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.