Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Services Section
Sergeant Robert Pauole
Phone: 961-2305
May 26, 2011
Police and members of the Impaired Driving Task Force conduct a DUI checkpoint in Hilo on Wednesday.
Media Release
With the approach of the long Memorial Day weekend and the continuation of graduation parties, Hawai’i County police will be on alert to help prevent tragedy on our roads. Officers will conduct DUI checkpoints and roving patrols beginning Thursday, May 26, and continuing through Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”
On Wednesday (May 25), officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit conducted a DUI checkpoint in Hilo supported by Traffic Safety Coordinator Dieter Blattler and MADD Program Coordinator Ashley Drake representing the Impaired Driving Task Force. They reminded motorist about the hazards of drinking and driving and gave them literature on the subject with emphasis on how little it takes to exceed the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08 percent.
Driving under the influence of alcohol presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian the driver encounters.
Already this year, Big Island police have made well over 500 DUI arrests, and nine people have died in traffic fatalities. Those crashes ended the lives of nine individuals who never imagined they wouldn’t reach their destination.
Police remind the public that the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency maintains a Shared-Ride Taxi program year round. Every individual is entitled to buy subsidized taxi coupons for as low as $2 each and use them with participating taxi companies. For details, call 961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org/shared-ride-taxi-program.
Please do your part to keep our roads safe. Always remember to have a designated sober and licensed driver before you start drinking. If you don’t find one, don’t take a chance—take a taxi.
