Holiday DUI enforcement begins

With Thanksgiving kicking off the holiday season, police are ramping up DUI enforcement as part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

“We’re doing the checkpoints already,” Sgt. Clarence Davies of the Hilo Traffic Enforcement Unit said Tuesday.

So far this year, there have been 24 fatal collisions on Big Island roadways with 28 official traffic fatalities compared to 14 fatal crashes with 17 fatalities at this time last year. That represents an increase of 71.4 percent for fatal crashes and 64.7 percent for fatalities.

Davies said toxicology reports have not been returned for all the fatal collisions, but of those where results are known, three are alcohol-related, four are drug-related and another four were linked to a combination of alcohol and drug use by a driver or drivers.

Davies said officers at checkpoints are looking for drivers under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol.

“We do have more officers trained now in recognizing drug-impaired drivers — which includes marijuana,” he said. “Some people think it’s OK to smoke and drive, but they can also be arrested for marijuana and operating a vehicle under the influence.”

That theme was echoed by Carol McNamee, founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawaii. She said state Department of Health figures show that among drug-impaired drivers involved in fatal collisions between 2010 and 2014, “marijuana is leading the pack, so to speak, in fatalities.”

“What we are seeing statewide and in some places on the mainland, as well, is even though the alcohol-related fatalities are dropping — and we’ve done really well on that score — more people are using drugs of various types and they are driving,” McNamee said. “Or they are combining alcohol and drugs with driving. And this is what happens; we get fatalities. It’s very disconcerting, for MADD especially, and for law enforcement, I’m sure, equally or more so, that after this long struggle over 30, 35 years, we’re pleased to see these alcohol-related fatalities declining so well, but then … we get hit with an increased use of drugs and increased fatalities from the use of drugs and driving.”

McNamee said the proliferation of medical marijuana and its legalization for adult recreational use in a handful of states also have led to an increase in fatalities involving drivers with marijuana in their system.

“I know that there have been some initial studies done in Washington and Colorado, and I believe these show a definite increase in fatalities related to the use of marijuana,” she said. “And I expect we will be getting more information on that … and educating the community about its effect on driving and the danger of having serious crashes. I think that information is badly needed by the community because I don’t think everybody realizes the seriousness of it.”

Davies said, in addition to DUI roadblocks, police also are stepping up checkpoints to cite drivers not using seat belts or child restraints, or who are using electronic devices.

“So far this year, total seat belt citations have been 3,411 islandwide and 277 child-restraint violations. There’s been 10,300 speeding citations. There’s been 2,197 citations for using electronic devices. And I’m sure not all the citations have been inputted into the system yet,” he said.

Sgt. Robert Pauole of Hilo’s Traffic Services Section also urged seat belt use, saying Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, which increases the potential for crashes.

“The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that risk of fatal injury goes down by 45 percent for front-seat occupants of passenger cars who wear seat belts and by 60 percent for light-truck occupants who wear them,” Pauole said in a statement. “Survive your Thanksgiving drive. Buckle up and drive sober.”

In addition, Davies urged drivers to look out for pedestrians, especially in town.

“Since I’ve been in the unit, we’ve had two pedestrian fatals in downtown Hilo that I think could have been avoided because neither of the drivers were intoxicated and speed doesn’t appear to be a factor,” he said.

Davies thinks the low-intensity streetlights employed on Hawaii Island to prevent interference with astronomy atop Mauna Kea is a factor, and added in cities and towns elsewhere, streets are better lit.

“I know that the county has made efforts to put LED lights in, but to me, that’s still not bright enough,” he said.

Davies offered the following advice for pedestrians and motorists to help them safely co-exist.

“For pedestrians, I’d say to use the crosswalk and make sure they have the right of way with the traffic light allowing them to cross the road. And to look before crossing the road to make sure that vehicles are actually slowing and stopping before stepping onto the road,” he said. “For motorists, use your seat belts. No texting and driving, no talking on the phone and driving. And make sure you follow the speed limits.

“We do wish everybody has a safe and happy holiday.”

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.