HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT DEXTER VERIATO
PHONE: 961-2305
NOVEMBER 29, 2004
MEDIA RELEASE
During the week of November 22-28, 2004, Big Island police arrested 22 motorists for drunk driving. Nine of the drivers were involved in a traffic crash and one was under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 974 DUI arrests, compared to 935 during the same period last year, an increase of 4 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:
| District | Weekly Total | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hamakua | 0 | 12 |
| North Hilo | 0 | 6 |
| South Hilo | 6 | 261 |
| Puna | 1 | 142 |
| Ka’u | 0 | 12 |
| Kona | 13 | 464 |
| South Kohala | 0 | 56 |
| North Kohala | 2 | 21 |
| Island Total | 22 | 974 |
There have been 2,249 major accidents so far this year, compared to 2,128 during the same period last year, an increase of 6 percent.
There have been 39 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 31 for the same period last year, an increase of 26 percent. There have been eight fatalities attributed to drunk driving so far this year, compared to 11 at this time last year, a decrease of 27 percent. There have been 13 drug-related fatalities so far this year, compared to 13 fatalities at the same time last year.
DUI roadblocks and patrols will be continued on an islandwide basis.
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