Hawaii Island police have been busy on the roads from September 2 through September 8, with twenty-one motorists arrested for DUIs as reported by Nixle. Amid no drivers arrested being below the legal age, three of these incidents resulted in traffic accidents. Comparing stats to the previous year’s same period shows a slight uptick in DUI arrests, climbing 1.35 percent from 667 to 676.

Focusing on crashes, the island has experienced 684 major crashes this year, a stark 19.4 percent hike from last year’s 573. This surge in incidents seems to be playing a contributing role to the concerning leap in fatal crashes – a troubling increase of 81.8 percent in fatal crashes was recorded and an even sharper rise in fatalities at 83.3 percent. This year, out of the 20 fatal crashes, 22 lives have been claimed, one marked by suicide, another reclassified due to a medical condition, and two victims succumbing at a later date. Comparably, of the 11 fatal crashes last year, 12 fatalities were noted, with a similarly tragic incident where one crash caused multiple losses and another victim who later died from their injuries.

Changes in traffic conditions and driver behaviors demand attention and strategy from local law enforcement. The zero count of non-traffic fatalities, which remains unchanged from the past year, serves as the sole piece of neutral news amidst the greater context of road safety concerns. To subdue this escalating trend, the Hawaii Police Department's Traffic Services Section is adamant about conducting more DUI roadblocks and patrols across the island, an initiative expected to persist and intensify.

Hawaii is facing serious issues with impaired driving, which is putting the community at risk. DUI checkpoints are crucial for protecting both drivers and pedestrians, and they play a vital role in keeping the islands safe.