Exactly half of the Big Island’s traffic deaths over the past three years have involved drivers impaired on drugs, according to police.
That sobering statistic was released Friday as police kicked off its holiday campaign — “If You Fell Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI” — with grant funding assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The campaign runs through New Year’s Day.
“Drugs specifically played a role in 38 of the 76 traffic deaths on island in the past three years,” said Torey Keltner, program manager for Hawaii Police Department’s Traffic Services Section. “That means 38 families will not have a loved one with them this holiday season, or ever again. The loss of even one life is not acceptable. This isn’t new information. People need to understand that if you use anything at all that impairs your abilities, don’t drive.
“We are asking our community members to please make good decisions during the upcoming holidays and commit to sober driving.”
And it’s not just illegal drugs that contribute to traffic deaths, Keltner said.
“Most people know the phrase ‘don’t drink and drive.’ However, they are less familiar with the impacts of driving impaired by prescription or illegal drugs,” Keltner explained.
Some cold medications or over-the-counter sleep aids can impair driving, which may lead to a DUI arrest. Medications have directions on how to properly use them and people should follow them closely.
Drug impairment continues to be a significant factor in Hawaii Island traffic fatalities.
In 2021, impairment was a factor in 21 of the 26 Big Island traffic fatalities, with drugs playing a role in 20 of the 21 impaired deaths. Last year, impairment was a factor in 18 of the 34 traffic deaths on island, with drugs playing a role in 14 of those deaths.
So far this year, there have been 16 traffic fatalities, with impairment playing a role in 10 of those deaths, with four deaths due to drugs. This number may rise, as officials are still awaiting toxicology reports in several cases.
“This holiday season we mean business when it comes to traffic enforcement,” said Keltner. “District police commanders across the island are directing greater enforcement efforts this time of year in order to prevent dangerous driving behaviors like impaired driving.
“We are conducting more DUI road blocks and traffic enforcement operations in order to prevent people from being injured or killed.”
