HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
JULY 20, 2004
MEDIA RELEASE
During the week of July 12-18, 2004, Big Island police arrested 23 motorists for drunk driving. One of the drivers was involved in a traffic collision and two were under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 574 DUI arrests, compared to 522 during the same period last year, an increase of 10 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:
| District | Weekly Total | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hamakua | 0 | 10 |
| North Hilo | 0 | 5 |
| South Hilo | 10 | 161 |
| Puna | 4 | 74 |
| Ka’u | 1 | 10 |
| Kona | 7 | 266 |
| South Kohala | 0 | 37 |
| North Kohala | 1 | 11 |
| Island Total | 23 | 574 |
There have been 1,322 major accidents so far this year, compared to 1,231 during the same period last year, an increase of 7 percent.
There have been 25 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 15 for the same period last year, an increase of 67 percent. There have been seven fatalities attributed to drunk driving so far this year, compared to five at this time last year, an increase of 40 percent. There have been six drug-related fatalities so far this year, compared to two fatalities at the same time last year, an increase of 200 percent.
DUI roadblocks and patrols will be continued on an islandwide basis.
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