Big Island Police Participating in “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” National Campaign

Hawaiʻi Island police will increase enforcement of drunk driving as part of a national campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which runs August 16 through September 2. During the campaign, police will conduct 20-30 sobriety checkpoints island wide.

To help bring awareness to the upcoming campaign, the Police Department’s Traffic Services Section plans a sign-waving event on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday (August 15). Volunteers are encouraged to participate. For more information on the sign-waving event, you may call Traffic Safety Coordinator Dieter Blattler at 961-2226.

Impaired driving presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian the driver encounters. Already this year, Hawaiʻi Island police have made more than 700 DUI arrests, and 12 of the 21 traffic fatalities this year involved drugs and/or alcohol.

Big Island Police Will Be Conducting DUI Checkpoints Throughout Holiday Season

Hawaiʻi Island police are informing motorist that officers will conduct islandwide DUI checkpoints throughout the holiday season. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The campaign starts December 14 and runs through January 1.

Sergeant Robert P. Pauole, head of the Traffic Services Section, said police will also be conducting projects to curb underage drinking in parks and other public areas. This is in light of a new federal grant, recently signed by Mayor Billy Kenoi, for $22,956 for overtime use for police to enforce underage drinking to prevent the violator from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and jeopardizing the lives of others.

Alcohol was involved in at least 16 of the 37 traffic deaths so far this year, amounting to 43 percent of the total. Similarly, 11 of the 23 fatalities recorded for all of last year, or 48 percent, involved alcohol use.

“Consider the options before you drink and drive. Always remember to have a designated, sober and licensed driver before you start drinking,” said Pauole. “If you don’t find one; don’t take a chance—take a taxi!”

The Hawaiʻi Police Department wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

 

DUI Checkpoints on the Big Island During Thanksgiving Holiday Season

Hawaiʻi Island police are informing motorists that officers will conduct DUI checkpoints islandwide in anticipation of the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

Sergeant Robert P. Pauole, head of the Traffic Services Section, said police are reminding motorists of the consequences of impaired driving and are enforcing Hawaiʻi County Ordinance No. 11-102. Also known as “Aliyah’s Law,” the ordinance permits officers to tow the vehicle of a driver who is stopped for impaired driving or driving after a license was suspended or revoked.

On Hawaiʻi Island, drunk driving was responsible for 23 of the 36 traffic deaths so far this year, which is more than 63 percent of the fatalities. “We need to get the message out that driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs kills,” Pauole said. “Always remember to have a designated, sober and licensed driver before you start drinking. If you can’t find one, don’t take a chance – take a taxi!”

Big Island Police Participating in “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign

Big Island police will increase enforcement of drunk driving as part of a national campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which runs August 19 through September 5.

To help bring awareness to the upcoming campaign, the Police Department’s Traffic Services Section plans a sign-waving event on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (August 14). Volunteers are encouraged to participate.

Impaired driving presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian the driver encounters. Already this year, Big Island police have made more than 800 DUI arrests, and 12 of the 24 traffic fatalities this year involved drugs, alcohol or both.

Police remind the public that the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency maintains a Shared-Ride Taxi program year round. Every individual is entitled to buy subsidized taxi coupons for as low as $2 each and use them with participating taxi companies. For details, call 961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org/shared-ride-taxi-program.

Big Island Traffic Fatalities Surpass Totals for All of Last Year

Police Chief Harry Kubojiri has issued a personal plea for all Big Island motorists to drive with extreme caution, as traffic fatalities so far this year have already surpassed the totals for all of last year and approached the totals for all of 2010.

As of August 8, 24 people have died on Hawai‘i County roads this year. That compares with 22 deaths for all of 2011 and 27 deaths for all of 2010.

Police analysis of the traffic fatalities during the past 2 ½ years shows that the following substances have been factors in the following number of fatal crashes:

• Alcohol – 35 (30 drivers and 5 pedestrians)
• Prescription drugs – 21 (20 drivers and 1 pedestrian)
• Marijuana – 17 (16 drivers and 1 pedestrian)
• Methamphetamine – 6
• Amphetamine – 4
• Cocaine -1

In many cases, multiple substances were factors in the same crash. The above figures don’t include impaired passengers who may have contributed to traffic fatalities. In some of the more recent crashes, police have not yet received toxicology results to determine whether dangerous substances contributed to the tragedies, so the substance count could increase.

Other contributing factors in the fatalities were speed (23) and not wearing a seat belt (25) or a motorcycle helmet (13).

The victims in the fatalities ranged from 6 months old to 88 years old. Their deaths caused unspeakable pain to their families and friends.

Police are stepping up DUI enforcement, but it will take a community effort to reduce the traffic death toll. Chief Kubojiri reminds members of the public to arrange for a designated driver if they plan to drink alcohol. He urges motorists to remember when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle that they and their fellow motorists are operating lethal machinery.

“Try to anticipate erratic driving and be mentally prepared for unexpected dangers,” Kubojiri said. “Practice safe, defensive driving and help reduce needless loss of life. Together, all of us can make a difference as we travel our Big Island roadways.”

California Man Dies From Fall While Riding His Bicycle Drunk

Media Release:

A California man has died from injuries sustained when he fell off his bicycle.

On July 14, Kona patrol officers responded to a 1:18 a.m. report of a crashing sound on the 75-6100 block of Alii Drive and found a man lying next to a bicycle.

The victim, identified as 24-year-old Anthony Hernandez of Simi Valley, California, had been riding the bike when he lost control, fell and struck his head on the pavement. He was not wearing a helmet.

Fire-rescue personnel took him to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition with head and face injuries. He was then transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.

Police initiated a public accident case and a driving under the influence of intoxicants case.

Hernandez was pronounced dead at Queen’s at 9:07 a.m. Sunday (July 17).

DUI Claims 22 Year Old California Woman on the Big Island

Media Release:

A 22-year-old California woman died Monday (May 30) from injuries she sustained in a one-vehicle crash on the Rubbish Dump Road at the Hilo landfill on Sunday (May 29).

The victim was identified as Christina L. Delgado of Santa Cruz, California.

Responding to a 1:35 p.m. call, south Hilo patrol officers determined that a 26-year-old Kea’au man had been operating a blue 1992 Toyota SR-5 pickup truck and traveling south on the Rubbish Dump Road when he lost control, ran off the left side of the road and dropped about 50 feet down an old rock quarry.

The truck landed on its roof and pinned his female passenger inside.

The driver was able to free himself from the vehicle and go for help.

Fire Department personnel extricated the woman from the vehicle and took her to Hilo Medical Center. She was later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center, where she died at 7:45 p.m. Monday (May 30).

The driver of the vehicle, Marco A. Delgado, is the brother of the victim. He was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, negligent injury and having no insurance. He was released pending further investigation, as he was confined at Hilo Medical Center due to his injuries.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have reclassified the negligent injury case to a negligent homicide investigation. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that any witnesses who saw the vehicle at the Hilo Drag Strip prior to the crash call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

Because this crash occurred on a private road, the death is not counted toward the island’s traffic fatality count.

DUI Checkpoints and Roving Patrols in Place on the Big Island Over Memorial Day Weekend

Media Release:

With the approach of the long Memorial Day weekend and the continuation of graduation parties, Hawai’i County police will be on alert to help prevent tragedy on our roads. Officers will conduct DUI checkpoints and roving patrols beginning Thursday, May 26, and continuing through Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”

On Wednesday (May 25), officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit conducted a DUI checkpoint in Hilo supported by Traffic Safety Coordinator Dieter Blattler and MADD Program Coordinator Ashley Drake representing the Impaired Driving Task Force. They reminded motorist about the hazards of drinking and driving and gave them literature on the subject with emphasis on how little it takes to exceed the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08 percent.

Driving under the influence of alcohol presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian the driver encounters.

Already this year, Big Island police have made well over 500 DUI arrests, and nine people have died in traffic fatalities. Those crashes ended the lives of nine individuals who never imagined they wouldn’t reach their destination.

Police remind the public that the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency maintains a Shared-Ride Taxi program year round. Every individual is entitled to buy subsidized taxi coupons for as low as $2 each and use them with participating taxi companies. For details, call 961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org/shared-ride-taxi-program.

Please do your part to keep our roads safe. Always remember to have a designated sober and licensed driver before you start drinking. If you don’t find one, don’t take a chance—take a taxi.

Big Island Police Conducting DUI Checkpoints Now Through End of Merrie Monarch

It’s kind of cool our police department at least warns folks when they are going to be having DUI Checkpoints.  Those that get nailed during these times are idiots.  Well those that drive drunk are idiots to begin with.

Media Release:

This Friday, Good Friday, kicks off a three-day holiday weekend.

To help prevent tragedy on our roads, Big Island police will conduct DUI checkpoints and roving patrols beginning Friday and continuing through the Merrie Monarch festival the following week. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”

Driving under the influence of alcohol presents a potential danger to every motorist, passenger and pedestrian that driver encounters. So far this year, Big Island police have made 404 DUI arrests.

Police remind the public that the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency maintains a Shared-Ride Taxi program year round. Every individual is entitled to buy subsidized taxi coupons for as low as $2 each and use them with participating taxi companies. For details, call 961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org/shared-ride-taxi-program.

So far this year, there have been eight traffic fatalities on the Big Island. Those crashes ended the lives of eight individuals who never imagined they wouldn’t reach their destination. Please do your part to keep our roads safe. Always remember to have a designated sober and licensed driver before you start drinking. If you don’t find one, don’t take a chance—take a taxi.

For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4680914/?sub_id=329893.