Cinco de Mayo Enforcement Nets 22 Arrests, 479 Citations

Impaired Driving Enforcement. Maui Now graphic.

Maui police issued 479 traffic citations and made 22 traffic related arrests during a four day Cinco de Mayo impaired driving prevention campaign.

The enforcement effort was sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the state Department of Transportation, and ran from May 5-8, 2016.

On Maui, heightened enforcement included multiple DUI checkpoints and increased traffic enforcement patrols.

Of the 22 arrests, 15 were for impaired driving and seven were for other traffic crimes.  In addition to the arrests, police also issued hundreds of traffic citations including: 225 for disregarding stop signs and red traffic lights; 28 for having no driver’s license; 31 for having no vehicle insurance; 51 for speeding; and 144 for other traffic related citations.

In a press release statement, Maui police traffic section Sergeant Nick Krau said, “Present-day Cinco de Mayo celebrations often lead to impaired driving which make these increased patrols and DUI checkpoints very necessary. This increase in enforcement was supported by officers from the Maui Police Department’s multiple patrol districts, DUI Task Force Unit, Motorcycle Enforcement Detail and Vehicle Homicide Unit.”

“It’s clear that too many drivers are breaking the law and putting their lives and the lives of others at grave risk. Impaired driving is a choice, a preventable one,” said Sgt. Krau.  “There are always other options to driving impaired such as a designated, sober driver; Uber (smartphone driven transportation network), a taxi; or staying the night at a friend’s house,” he said.

According to Sgt. Krau, officers at intoxication control checkpoints noticed numerous vehicles with occupants coming from celebrations and having designated drivers. “The Maui Police Department would like to commend everyone who celebrated Cinco de Mayo responsibly. We sincerely thank everyone who either made arrangements to have a designated driver or served as a designated driver,” he said.