9-26-24 Public Invited to Traffic Safety Fair in Laupāhoehoe Sept. 29

Hawai‘i Police Department
Hāmākua Community Policing Section
Officer Joseph Rocha
Phone: (808) 775-7533

Media Release

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote traffic safety and awareness, Hawai‘i Police Department invites the public to attend the first-ever Traffic Safety Fair in Laupāhoehoe on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Hosted by the Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter (LCPCS) School Driver’s Education Program, the fair will be held on the school campus, 35-2065 Old Māmalahoa Highway, at the LCPCS gym, tennis court, and baseball field.

The fun and informative event will feature a variety of activities to promote traffic safety, such as a traveling an obstacle course wearing impaired driving simulator goggles, how to properly hook up a trailer, change a tire, and much more.

Activities include:

• Safety demonstrations on blind spot zones, school bus safety, and Hawai‘i’s Move-Over Law.
• Educational materials on how to start an insurance claim if in a collision and how to get a loan to purchase a vehicle.
• Drive an adult-sized tricycle on a traffic cone obstacle course with impaired driving simulator goggles.
• Learn how to hook up and correctly load a trailer.
• Enjoy the Classic Cars of Hāmākua.

Booths include:

• Hawaiʻi Island Driverʻs Education Cadre: learn how to take a Driverʻs Ed class.
• Hawai‘i  Police Department: take the field sobriety test.
• Hawaiʻi Fire Department: learn about the Jaws of Life.
• Paradise Island Towing: learn how to change a tire and safely “jump start” a car.
• Hāmākua Health Center: learn how to deal with grief after a traffic fatality and how to regulate your emotions before driving.

With the number of major traffic crashes and traffic fatalities up so far this year compared to the same time last year, Hawai‘i Island police urge motorists to drive safely and soberly. To date in 2024, there have been 719 major traffic crashes on island roadways, up almost 20 percent from 620 this time last year. Traffic fatalities have nearly doubled over last year, with 22 deaths compared to 12 at the same point last year.

Community members are encouraged to attend the first-of-its-kind Traffic Safety Fair, which aims to promote traffic safety education and greater awareness when out on the road.