Thanksgiving DUI Checkpoints

The Hawai’i Police Department will heighten its response to drunk driving over the Thanksgiving weekend as part of the national and statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

Island-wide DUI checkpoints will be set up throughout the weekend.

“Always remember to have a designated, sober, and licensed driver before you start drinking,” said Sergeant Robert P. Pauole, head of the Traffic Services Section. “If you can’t find one, don’t take a chance – take a taxi.”

According to Sergeant Pauole, impaired driving is responsible for 11 of the 17 traffic fatalities so far in 2015.

Motorists are also urged to use their seat belts during every time they are in a vehicle in order to prevent injury or death should an accident occur.

“The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that risk of fatal injury goes down by 45 percent for front-seat occupants of passenger cars who wear seat belts and by 60 percent for light-truck occupants who wear them,” Sergeant Pauole said. “Survive your Thanksgiving drive. Buckle up and drive sober.”

HPD notes that Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, leading to the potential for dangerous driving situations.