7-02-24 Police Urge Safe Driving This July Fourth Holiday Weekend

Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Services Section
Torey D. Keltner, Program Manager
Phone: (808) 961-2305

Media Release

As we approach the Fourth of July, Hawai‘i Police Department and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), remind Hawai‘i Island residents to drive sober as part of the national “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” awareness campaign. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. For instance, a blood alcohol concentration as low as .02 can affect your multitasking abilities, significantly impacting your driving skills.

Historically, the Fourth of July sees an increase in impaired driving crashes, putting lives at risk. During the month of July between 2018 and 2023, 11 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes on Big island roads.

Sadly, alcohol impairment was involved in 39 percent of all Hawai‘i Island fatal traffic crashes from 2018 through 2023. That percentage climbs to nearly 69 percent when drug impairment is included. In the first half of 2024, there have been 20 traffic fatalities across Hawai‘i Island, compared to 10 this time last year. There have also been 498 major traffic crashes to date in 2024, a 16 percent increase over the 429 traffic crashes that occurred by this time last year.

“Hawai‘i Police Department will be out in force this Fourth of July to ensure our roads stay safe. Please do your part and drive safely so everyone makes it home alive,” said Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Program Manager.

Tips for Celebrating Safely and Getting Home Without Driving:

• Plan ahead: If you’re planning to drink, arrange for a sober ride home before the festivities begin.
• Designate a sober driver: Even if you’ve had just one drink, ensure your driver has consumed no alcohol whatsoever.
• Offer non-alcoholic options: If you’re hosting a gathering, provide plenty of non-alcoholic beverages to support designated drivers.
• Intervene responsibly: If a friend intends to drive impaired, take their keys and arrange a safe way for them to get home.
• Report impaired driving: If you witness an impaired driver on the road, pull over safely and call 911.
• Buckle up: Always wear your seat belt, it’s your best defense against crashes.

Remember, impaired driving isn’t limited to alcohol; drug-impaired driving poses a similar danger. Whether legal or illegal, driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous and illegal. “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different”.