Police: 17 motorists arrested for DUI during week of March 6-12

Big Island police continue to crack down on motorists who drive under the influence of an intoxicant.

During the week of March 6-12, 17 motorists were arrested for DUI. Five were involved in traffic accidents; one of the drivers was younger than 21 years old. So far this year, there have been 211 DUI arrests compared with 231 during the same period last year, a decrease of 8.7%.

A review of all updated traffic crashes by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section found 180 major crashes so far this year compared with 146 during the same period last year, an increase of 23.3%.

To date, there have been four fatal crashes resulting in five fatalities on Big Island roadways in 2023 compared with seven fatal crashes resulting in nine fatalities during the same time period last year. This represents a decrease of 42.9% for fatal crashes and 44.4% for fatalities.

Police said DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.