HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
MAY 5, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of April 26-May 2, 2004, Big Island police arrested 16 motorists for drunk driving. Four of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes, and one was under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 335 DUI arrests, compared to 277 during the same period last year, an increase of 21 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

District	Weekly Total	Year to Date
Hamakua North Hilo South Hilo Puna Ka’u Kona South Kohala North Kohala	1 2 2 4 0 6 1 0	6 3 89 45 4 161 22 5
Island Total	16	335

There have been 824 major accidents so far this year, compared to 761 during the same period last year, an increase of 8 percent.

There have been 17 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 10 for the same period last year, an increase of 70 percent. There has been one fatality attributed to drunk driving so far this year, compared to four at this time last year, a decrease of 75 percent. There have been four drug-related fatalities so far this year, compared to two fatalities at the same time last year, an increase of 100 percent.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will be continued on an islandwide basis.

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