MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of December 17, 2012, through December 23, 2012, Hawaiʻi Island police arrested 33 motorists for drunk driving. Three of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Three were under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 1,459 DUI arrests compared with 1,416 during the same period last year, an increase of 3 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

District	Weekly Total	Year to Date
Hāmākua 	0		18	
North Hilo	0		4	
South Hilo	12		581	
Puna    	5		168	
Ka’ū    	0		24	
Kona    	10		565	
South Kohala	6		86	
North Kohala	0		13	
Island Total:	33		1,459

There have been 1,413 major accidents so far this year compared with 1,379 during the same period last year, an increase of 2.5 percent.

So far this year, there were 38 traffic fatalities on Hawaiʻi Island compared with 21 during the same period last year, an increase of 81 percent.

To date, 28 fatalities were related to drugs (12), alcohol (4), or a combination of both (12).

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.