32 Die on Hawai‘i Island Roadways So Far This Year

Although Hawai‘i had a safe Halloween, 31* died as a result of accidents on Hawai‘i Island between Jan. 1 and Nov. 13, 2017.

• 22 died as a result of motor vehicle accidents—2 more than during the same time period last year
• 1 died as a result of a pedestrian accident—4 less than the same period last year
• 6 died as a result of motorcycle, moped and scooter accidents—3 more than last year*
• 2 died as a result of bicycle accidents—there were no bicycle fatalities las year

To be considered a motor vehicle fatality in the state of Hawai‘i, the fatal crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public and must result in a death of at least one person (occupant of a vehicle or a non-motorist) within 30 days of the crash.

*Although there were seven fatalities due to motorcycle, scooter and moped crashes, only six were considered vehicle fatalities using this state criteria.

Using official data only, the total number of fatalities on Hawai‘i Island is three more than the number of fatalities during the same time period in 2016.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reports that communities across the state enjoyed a safe Halloween with no pedestrian deaths or serious incidents.

As children and their families take to the streets after dark, Halloween poses an increased risk of serious pedestrian incidents.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Oct. 31 is consistently one of the top three days for vehicular-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

“Mahalo to the pedestrians and drivers in communities across our state for looking out for each other this past Halloween,” said HDOT Highways Deputy Director Ed Sniffen.

Although the absence of traffic fatalities on Halloween indicates that people, drivers and pedestrians alike, are taking traffic safety seriously, there were seven traffic fatalities on Hawai‘i roads in the past month.

HDOT encourages all road users—motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists—to use the same caution and attentiveness as on Halloween night to help reduce preventable deaths on Hawai‘i roadways.

“Even though we are framing the conversation with data, each of these numbers represent one more person who died on one of our roads,” said Deputy Director Sniffen.

“Let’s work together toward a goal of 100 percent safe arrivals, so that every mother, father, son, and daughter, comes home safe every day,” said Deputy Director Sniffen.

See statistics from Jan. 1 through Nov. 13, 2017, and Jan. 1 through Nov. 13, 2016, below the ad.

Traffic Fatality Data from Jan. 1 through Nov. 13, 2017

*indicates 1 motorized bicycle

Traffic Fatality Data from Jan. 1 through Nov. 13, 2016