Updated at 7:25 p.m., Monday, December 10, 2007
Honolulu police kick off traffic safety campaign
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
The theme this year is "the buck stops here, it's your choice."
Lt. Jerry Wojick advises people "not to drink and drive, leave home earlier so as not to be in a rush to get somewhere, and slow down and be aware of what's around you."
As of today, 63 people have died on O'ahu roadways this year: 27 motorists and/or passengers in 22 auto collisions; 20 pedestrians; 13 operators and one passenger in 13 motorcycle crashes, and two moped operators. The numbers are based on traffic fatality tracking data compiled by The Advertiser.
By comparison, there were 90 traffic deaths on O'ahu in 2006: 50 motorists and/or passengers in 41 auto collisions; 20 pedestrians; nine motorcycle operators; six moped operators, and five bicyclists.
Police will have DUI checkpoints set up nightly at unannounced times and locations on O'ahu.
Police on the Big Island, Maui and Kaua'i also have similar holiday safe-driving campaigns.
The combined Neighbor Island fatality count stands at 62 as of today: 35 on the Big Island; 20 on Maui, and seven on Kaua'i. Last year, Hawai'i County had 33 traffic deaths, Maui 20 and Kaua'i 14.
