HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
JULY 12, 2004
MEDIA RELEASE
During the week of July 5-11, 2004, Big Island police arrested 12 motorists for drunk driving. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 551 DUI arrests, compared to 495 during the same period last year, an increase of 11 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:
| District | Weekly Total | Year to Date |
| Hamakua | 0 | 10 |
| North Hilo | 0 | 5 |
| South Hilo | 4 | 151 |
| Puna | 0 | 70 |
| Ka’u | 0 | 9 |
| Kona | 6 | 259 |
| South Kohala | 2 | 37 |
| North Kohala | 0 | 10 |
| Island Total | 12 | 551 |
There have been 1,277 major accidents so far this year, compared to 1,187 during the same period last year, an increase of 8 percent.
There have been 24 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 15 for the same period last year, an increase of 60 percent. There have been seven fatalities attributed to drunk driving so far this year, compared to five at this time last year, an increase of 40 percent. There have been six drug-related fatalities so far this year, compared to two fatalities at the same time last year, an increase of 200 percent.
DUI roadblocks and patrols will be continued on an islandwide basis.
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