Jump in Maui DUI arrests linked to more enforcement
| • | Graphic: Drunk-driver arrests in Hawai'i |
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
Maui saw a huge rise in drunken-driving arrests last year — a 64 percent increase.
Statewide, Hawai'i drunken-driving arrests made in 2002 were comparable to numbers in 2001 for all other counties.
Maui had 600 arrests in 2002, up from 365 the previous year.
Lt. Charles Hirata of the Maui County police traffic section said the increase in DUI arrests can be linked to increased enforcement. Maui police officers issued 1,200 more citations in 2002 than the previous year for DUI, and seat belt and child safety seat violations, Hirata said.
"We had more enforcement this year, particularly during the seat-belt enforcement campaign," Hirata said. "While the number of DUI arrests went up, we were more concerned about keeping down the number of traffic deaths, which actually decreased.
"As probably with the other counties during the seat-belt campaign, we also ended up giving increased citations for speeding and reckless driving, factors that could also lead to serious injuries," he said.
The number of people killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents statewide in 2002 was 34, down significantly from 50 reported in 2001. However, those totals could change when O'ahu gets its December numbers, which have not yet been calculated.
Honolulu police between January and Nov. 30, 2002, made 2,003 DUI arrests. For all of 2001, Honolulu police made 2,180, according to HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
HPD's Traffic Division predicted overall 2002 DUI arrests, when tallied, will probably be around the same as 2001.
O'ahu had 68 traffic-related deaths last year, with 15 of them alcohol-related. The fatality rate was down from 2001, when there were 79 traffic fatalities, 26 of them DUI-related.
Hawai'i County had 873 DUI arrests in 2002, compared with 835 in 2001. The Big Island had 28 auto fatalities last year, with 11 of them alcohol-related.
Kaua'i had 270 DUI arrests last year, four more than in 2001, according to Kaua'i police Sgt. Mark Scribner of the department's traffic safety section.
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 535-8110.
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