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35 Die on Hawa‘i Island Roadways So Far in 2017

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The Hawaii Department of Transportation has reported 11 traffic fatalities since the release of November’s preliminary year-to-date traffic fatality data on Nov. 15, 2017.

In Hawai‘i County so far this year, fatalities include 24 motor vehicle occupants, two pedestrians, five motorcycle operators, one moped operator and three bicyclists for a total of 35, an increase of three from last month’s report.

Traffic fatalities for the Big Island in 2016 totaled 30.

“Tragically we are now at 101 traffic fatalities statewide,” said HDOT Highways Deputy Director Ed Sniffen. “That’s 101 mothers, fathers, sisters or brothers that are lost to their families and friends this holiday season—and beyond. At HDOT we are prioritizing safety in every project we do and we’re asking everyone to make safety on the streets and sidewalks a priority too. Working together, we can reduce Hawai‘i’s annual traffic fatalities from 101, to 80 or fewer by 2018, toward the ultimate goal of zero deaths.”

All road users—motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists—can help reduce preventable deaths on Hawaii roadways by avoiding the top contributing factors in traffic fatalities. These factors are speeding, driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and distracted driving.

In 2016, 46 of 109* fatal crashes involved speeding, contributing to roughly 45 percent of the year’s 120 fatalities. Drivers in 64 of the 109 fatal crashes tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs, accounting for 73 deaths. Finally, approximately 13.7 percent of the fatalities on Hawaii’s roads in 2016 were determined to have had distracted driving as a contributing factor.

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Drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists are encouraged to visit the HDOT Safe Communities page and the Hawai‘i Strategic Highway Safety Plan website to learn more about simple measures they can take to ensure their own safety and the safety of their families and friends.

Traffic Fatality Data from Jan. 1 through Dec. 11, 2017

Motor Vehicle Occupants Pedestrians Motorcycle, Moped, Scooter Operators Bicyclists ATV

Operators

TOTAL
C&C of Honolulu 19 9 7- m/c

4 – moped

1- scooter

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Total – 12

3 1 44
Hawai‘i County 24 2 5 – m/c

1 – moped*

0 – scooter

Total – 6*

3 0 35
Maui County 10 1 4 – m/c

0 – moped

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1 – scooter

Total – 4

0 0 16
Kaua‘i County 6 0 0 – m/c

0 – moped

0 – scooter

Total – 0

0 0 6
TOTAL 59   12 23 * 6 1 101  

*indicates 1 motorized bicycle

Traffic Fatality Data from Jan. 1 through Dec. 11, 2016

Motor Vehicle Occupants Pedestrians Motorcycle, Moped, Scooter Operators Bicyclists ATV

Operators

TOTAL
C&C of Honolulu 22 20 7- m/c

5 – moped

0- scooter

Total – 12

0 0 54
Hawai‘i County 22 5 2 – m/c

1 – moped

0 – scooter

Total – 3

0 0 30
Maui County 13 5 3 – m/c

0 – moped

0 – scooter

Total – 3

0 0 21
Kaua‘i County 5 1 0 – m/c

0 – moped

1 – scooter

Total – 1

0 0 7
TOTAL 62 31 19 0 0 112

 

Motor Vehicle Fatality Counts

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.

Note on 2016 Crash Statistics

There were a total of 109 crashes resulting in 120 fatalities. Some crashes may have had more than one contributing factor.

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