MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of August 1, 2011, through August 7, 2011, Big Island police arrested 22 motorists for drunk driving. Two of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Three were under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 857 DUI arrests compared with 910 during the same period last year, a decrease of 5.8 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

District	Weekly Total	Year to Date
Hāmākua 	0       	4
North Hilo	0       	1
South Hilo	12      	344
Puna    	4       	105
Ka'Å«    	2       	12
Kona    	3       	352
South Kohala	1       	38
North Kohala	0       	1
Island Total:	22       	857

There have been 808 major accidents so far this year compared with 818 during the same period last year, a decrease of of 1.2 percent.

So far this year, there were 15 traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with 20 during the same period last year, a decrease of 25 percent.

To date, nine fatalities this year were related to drugs only (3), alcohol only (2), or a combination of both (4).

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.