DUI Arrests Stay Ahead of Last Year’s Numbers

Hawaii Police Department reports that arrests made for those driving under the influence of intoxicants, as well as traffic accidents and fatalities, are all above last year’s numbers nearly four months into 2012.

DUI arrests are up by 4% compared to arrests made by April 22 of 2011, an increase of 17 arrests. 22 people added to that tally by getting arrested for drunk driving between April 16 and April 22. Overall, 441 people have been arrested for driving drunk.

There has also been a 6% increase in the amount of major traffic accidents that have occurred on Hawai’i Island roadways. Police says that 460 accidents have happened this year, an increase of 26 from last year.

The 11 traffic fatalities that have taken place this year is also up from last year, when eight people had died due to traffic accidents. According to authorities, three of the 11 fatalities were related to drug use.

DUI patrols and checkpoints will continue, according to police.