MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of Nov. 15-21, Big Island police report they arrested 29 motorists for drunken driving. Four of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. One was under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 1,369 DUI arrests compared with 1,228 during the same period last year, an increase of 11.5 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

There have been 1,235 major accidents so far this year compared with 1,395 during the same period last year, a decrease of 11.5 percent.

So far this year, there were 24 traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with 21 during the same period last year, an increase of 14.3 percent.

To date, 15 fatalities this year were related to drugs only (3), alcohol only (3) or a combination of both (9 of the 15).

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.