MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of October 10, 2011, through October 16, 2011, Big Island police arrested 26 motorists for drunk driving. Eight of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. One was under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 1,170 DUI arrests compared with 1,231 during the same period last year, a decrease of 5 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

District        Weekly Total  Year to Date
Hāmākua              0            8
North Hilo           0            2
South Hilo          13          475
Puna                 6          156
Ka'Å«                 1           15
Kona                 6          462
South Kohala         0           51
North Kohala         0            1
Island Total:       26        1,170

There have been 1,075 major accidents so far this year compared with 1,105 during the same period last year, a decrease of of 2.7 percent.

So far this year, there were 16 traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with 23 during the same period last year, a decrease of 30.4 percent.

To date, 12 fatalities this year were related to drugs only (3), alcohol only (4), or a combination of both (5).

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.