MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police will increase enforcement of drunk driving as part of a national campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which runs August 19 through September 5.

To help bring awareness to the upcoming campaign, the Police Department’s Traffic Services Section plans a sign-waving event on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (August 14). Volunteers are encouraged to participate.

Impaired driving presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian the driver encounters. Already this year, Big Island police have made more than 800 DUI arrests, and 12 of the 24 traffic fatalities this year involved drugs, alcohol or both.

Police remind the public that the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency maintains a Shared-Ride Taxi program year round. Every individual is entitled to buy subsidized taxi coupons for as low as $2 each and use them with participating taxi companies. For details, call 961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org/shared-ride-taxi-program