HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
AUGUST 9, 2004
MEDIA RELEASE
During the week of August 2-8, 2004, Big Island police arrested 27 motorists for drunk driving. One of the drivers was involved in a traffic crash and two were under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 634 DUI arrests, compared to 591 during the same period last year, an increase of 7 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:
| District | Weekly Total | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hamakua | 0 | 10 |
| North Hilo | 1 | 6 |
| South Hilo | 3 | 176 |
| Puna | 3 | 78 |
| Ka’u | 1 | 12 |
| Kona | 19 | 299 |
| South Kohala | 0 | 41 |
| North Kohala | 0 | 12 |
| Island Total | 27 | 634 |
There have been 1,463 major accidents so far this year, compared to 1,381 during the same period last year, an increase of 6 percent.
There have been 25 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 16 for the same period last year, an increase of 56 percent. There have been seven fatalities attributed to drunk driving so far this year, compared to six at this time last year, an increase of 17 percent. There have been six drug-related fatalities so far this year, compared to three 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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