13 Traffic Arrests, 9 for Impaired Driving During Halloween Enforcement

Photo collage by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui Police made 13 traffic related arrests during the 10 hour traffic enforcement effort to keep roads safe on Halloween night.  The arrests included 9 for impaired driving.  An additional 19 citations were issued for various traffic infractions over the same period, said Traffic Section DUI Task Force Unit supervisor Sergeant Nick Krau.

The infractions were in addition to the four arrests made during the Halloween in Lahaina festivities on Front Street.  That list included the following violations: outstanding bench warrant and resisting arrest, third degree promotion of a detrimental drug, disorderly conduct, and operation a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant.

According to Sgt. Krau, 7 of the 9 impaired driving arrests, and 13 of the 19 traffic citations made during the enforcement were in the Lahaina District. He said the average age of the impaired driving offenders was 39 years old.  Traffic infractions and arrests included the following:

Total traffic related arrests: 13

• Impaired Driving arrests: 9
• Other Traffic Crime arrests: 4

Total Traffic Citations Issued: 19

• No Driver’s License citations issued: 3
• No Vehicle Insurance citations issued: 5
• No Seat Belt citations issued: 3
• No Child Restraint citations issued: 2
• Other traffic related citations issued: 6

Sgt. Krau said the traffic enforcement was conducted in an effort to keep streets safe during the Halloween weekend.  As part of the campaign, the Maui Police Department conducted multiple DUI Checkpoints on Halloween night to prevent and apprehend impaired drivers.

“Halloween rivals St. Patrick’s Day and New Years as the busiest night for the Traffic Section’s Vehicle Homicide Unit and DUI Task Force Unit,” said Sgt. Krau.  “While large numbers of people were out on our streets trick-or-treating, others were out drinking and driving, this makes increased patrols and DUI checkpoints very necessary.”

Those found in violation of driving while under the influence face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, and lost wages due to time off from work.   Sgt. Krau estimates that the average cot of a DUI is around $10,000 to those found in violation.