Big Island Police to Begin DUI Checkpoint Blitz
The Hawai`i Police Department has announced it will be ramping up its efforts to snare drunk-driving offenders as part of a national campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
Starting on Aug. 16 and lasting at least through the beginning of September, HPD officers will be conducting 20-30 sobriety checkpoints island wide.
So far this year, Hawaiʻi Island police have made more than 700 DUI arrests. Of the 21 traffic fatalities this year on the Big Island, 12 involved the use of drugs and/or alcohol.
In the last week alone, Police arrested 32 motorists for DUI offenses on Big Island roadways.
To build awareness for the upcoming campaign, the Police Department’s Traffic Services Section will hold a sign-waving event on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.
Police have encouraged the public to participate. For more information on the sign-waving event, you call Traffic Safety Coordinator Dieter Blattler at (808)-961-2226.