DUI checkpoints, patrols planned

Big Island police will increase DUI checkpoints and roving patrols this week in conjunction with Halloween.

The Hawaii Police Department announced the effort Tuesday in a news release, which included additional reminders about how to keep keiki safe during Halloween.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly four times as many children ages 5-14, are killed while walking on Halloween evening than other times of the year,” police said.

The checkpoints and patrols are part of a national and statewide campaign called, “Drive sober or get pulled over.”

Sgt. Robert P. Pauole, head of the Hawaii Police Department’s Traffic Services Section, pointed out that drugs, alcohol or both have been factors in at least 56 percent of the 23 traffic fatalities we’ve experienced so far this year. He urges all motorists to be extra cautious in the next few days, when a large number of pedestrians may be out for Halloween festivities.

“Be especially careful in residential areas by slowing down and looking for children on roadways, medians and curbs,” Pauole said. “If you plan to drink, please don’t drive. Make arrangements to ride with a designated, sober and licensed driver before you start drinking. If you can’t find one, don’t take a chance — take a taxi.”

Police also offered additional tips for Halloween safety.

Police urged motorists to: drive below the posted speed limit during trick-or-treating hours; watch for keiki darting out from between parked cars; and enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

Police urged parents to: accompany keiki when they go trick-or-treating or make sure they are supervised by a responsible adult; have keiki trick-or-treat in a safe location; make sure keiki are supervised as they cross the street; have keiki get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side; carry flashlights and use reflective tape or stickers on bags and costumes for keiki to see and be seen; avoid masks or costumes that limit a keiki’s vision or movement; and check all treats before letting keiki eat them.