HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
JUNE 3, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of May 24-31, 2004, Big Island police arrested 22 motorists for drunk driving. Two of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes, and one was under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 437 DUI arrests, compared to 362 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	0 0 10 1 2 8 1 0	8 4 129 55 6 199 28 8
Island Total	22	437

There have been 1,058 major accidents so far this year, compared to 919 during the same period last year, an increase of 15 percent.

There have been 19 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 12 for the same period last year, an increase of 58 percent. There has been two fatalities attributed to drunk driving so far this year, compared to four at this time last year, a decrease of 50 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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