Police make major traffic enforcement effort on Pahoa 03-29-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
MARCH 29, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police issued 125 traffic citations and arrested a 20-year-old male for drunk driving and nine other traffic offenses during a major traffic enforcement project Thursday (March 25, 2004) in Pahoa Town in Puna.

Members of the Puna Patrol, Community Policing and Traffic Enforcement Unit took part in the project, which consisted of six seat belt and impaired driving checkpoints in the area of Pahoa Town.

Officers issued 60 seat belt citations, five child restraint citations and 60 other citations for such offenses as driving without a license, having no automobile insurance, illegal window tint, loud vehicle mufflers and other regulatory violations.

Sergeant Randy Apele, head of the Traffic Service Section, said the enforcement project served two purposes — to enforce traffic laws and to provide a greater police presence in Pahoa. Apele said further traffic enforcement projects will be conducted in Pahoa and throughout the Big Island.

With the recent increase in fatal crashes, Apele said the public could expect more highly visible enforcement to be conducted to include checkpoints for speeding, impaired driving and seat belt violations.

The police are asking for the public’s cooperation in following speed limits, wearing their seat belts and having alternative transportation or a designated driver instead of drinking and driving.

“It’s a fact that impaired driving and speeding are the top causes of crashes involving injuries and fatalities and that wearing your seat belt can protect you from injury or death in a crash,” Apele said. “That is why our police department has made these three areas top priority in traffic enforcement.”

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