Police arrest 21 motorists for DUI

During the week of March 23-29, Hawaii Island police arrested 21 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Five were younger than 21.

The numbers of arrests by district were: South Hilo, 8; Puna and Kona, 5 each; South Kohala, 2; and Ka‘u, 1.

So far this year, there have been 234 DUI arrests compared to 323 during the same period last year, a decrease of 27.6 percent.

There have been 344 major accidents so far this year compared to 417 during the same period last year, a decrease of 17.5 percent.

So far this year, there have been six official traffic fatalities compared to three during the same period last year, an increase of 50 percent.

To date, two fatalities have been linked to driving impaired by drugs, police said.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.