HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
ACTING LIEUTENANT RANDY APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
DECEMBER 7, 2000
MEDIA RELEASE
Big Island police will be stepping up their efforts over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to enforce drunk driving and seatbelt laws.
In addition, plainclothes officers will be out to enforce laws against underage drinking.
Acting Lieutenant Randy Apele of the Traffic Services Section said police are stepping up their enforcement efforts to help make this year’s holiday season a safe one.
Police have increased DUI checkpoints and roving patrols in order to cut down on drunk driving the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, Apele said.
He said the purpose of stepping up enforcement of underage drinking laws is to apprehend potential underage drunk drivers before they get behind the wheel of a car.
“We are continuing our enforcement through the upcoming holidays in order to avert needless injuries and deaths,” Apele said. “We hope to protect Big Island families so they may enjoy a safe and joyous holiday season.”
As of December 3 this year, there were 2,011 arrests for drunk driving on the Big Island. And of the 35 traffic fatalities recorded so far this year, a total of 10, or 29 percent, have been classified as alcohol-related.
# # #