Major Traffic Accidents Up Over 13% From 2013

Major traffic accidents remain well above last year’s levels, according to statistics released Monday from the Hawai`i Police Department.

Authorities say that as of Sept. 14, 1,097 major traffic accidents have taken place on Big Island roadways. That number is a 13.1% increase from the same time in 2013, when 970 major accidents were reported.

Arrests for driving under the influence, however, are still down from last year’s numbers. So far this year, 831 people were arrested for DUI offenses, down 7.3% from the same point last year. Twenty-two of those arrests happened last week.

So far this year, nine people have died on Big Island roadways, down from 21 at the same point in 2013. Three of those deaths were caused by drugs, and three others were caused by a combination of drugs and alcohol.

In a release, HPD says it will continue to set up DUI roadblocks and patrols around the island.