August is ‘Drive Aloha Month’ to encourage safe and responsible driving

August is Drive Aloha Month across Hawai‘i, and DTRIC Insurance is asking motorists to drive with care and courtesy as public school students head back to class this week.

Honolulu City and County Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed a proclamation marking August as Drive Aloha Month to promote road safety and foster a driving culture with the aloha spirit on the island. Other neighbor island counties have signed similar proclamations for the month.

DTRIC Insurance launched the Drive Aloha initiative in August 2016 to educate and encourage drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to practice safe and courteous behavior and create safer, friendlier roadways across our islands. The Drive Aloha campaign is a community effort promoting accountability by reminding everyone to take responsibility for their actions on the streets.

According to Hawaii State Department of Transportation figures, there were 117 traffic-related deaths on Hawai‘i’s roads in 2022. This included 48 motor vehicle occupants, 28 pedestrians and 40 bicyclists, motorcyclists and moped operators. There have been 53 statewide traffic fatalities so far this year.

The campaign aims to discourage bad commuting habits – distracted driving through use of cell phones, running a red light, jaywalking, speeding and cutting off other drivers – which can all lead to accidents that could have been avoided through safer behavior. Some of the safety campaign initiatives include:

• Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all commuters are urged to take the Drive Aloha pledge at www.drivealoha.com to demonstrate their commitment to practicing safer and more courteous road habits.
• Community sign-waving events in traffic hot spots to remind drivers to slow down
• Recognize citizens who promote traffic safety
• Holding contests and events to promote traffic safety working with community partners.