Maui Police Launch St Patrick’s Day Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign

Pictured from left to right: Officer Alvin OTA, Officer Ryan EHLERS, Sergeant Nick KRAU, Officer Carl EGUIA, and Officer Rusty IOKIA. Photo courtesy the Maui Police Department.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Police Department will be conducting a Saint Patrick’s Day Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign from Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18.

According to police, on average, one person is killed every 52 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the US, with a spike in DUI fatalities around St. Patrick’s Day.

In addition to DUI enforcement, the campaign will also focus on seat belt and cell phone violations. The minimum fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $102; and the minimum fine for using an electronic device while driving is $297.

Motorist can expect to see increased saturation patrols during all hours, which will include the use of unmarked patrol vehicles and sobriety checkpoints at various locations.

Maui Police Department Traffic Section’s Acting Lieutenant Nick Krau issued a list safety of tips that includes planning a way home before celebrating, designating a sober driver, and calling police if you see an impaired driver on the road.

The last DUI enforcement campaign on Maui was a three-week “Drive Sober or get Pulled Over” campaign that was held over the holidays from Dec. 15, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015.

Police also conducted DUI enforcement from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1, 2014.  During that campaign, police arrested 57 motorists for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.  Police also 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