Police arrest 17 for DUI

During the week of Dec. 1-7, Hawaii Island police arrested 17 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Three were younger than the age of 21.

The numbers of arrests by district were: Puna, 6; Kona, South Hilo and South Kohala, 3 each; Ka‘u and North Kohala, 1 each.

So far this year, there have been 1,082 DUI arrests compared to 1,233 during the same period last year, a decrease of 12.2 percent.

There have been 1,432 major accidents so far this year compared to 1,255 during the same period last year, an increase of 14.1 percent.

So far this year, there have been 11 official traffic fatalities compared to 25 during the same period last year, a decrease of 56 percent.

To date, six of those fatalities have been linked to impaired driving — three to drugs and another three, to a combination of drugs and alcohol.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide, police said.